Suspect Dragged State Trooper 60 Feet: Police

Two state troopers were hurt, one dragged by a car, while working undercover during a drug investigation in Griswold on Thursday.

Around 4 p.m., the troopers approached a man believed to have heroin while he was returning to his home on Norman Road.

The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Ryan Johnson, tried to get away. Police said Johnson put his car in reverse and started backing up with the driver's side door open.

According to the prosecutor’s report, Trooper Michael O’Hara was dragged 20-30 feet by the force of the car moving backward.

That's when O'Hara lodged a bullet into the front driver's side door of Johnson's car.

"I was cooking dinner, heard a loud pop," neighbor Jenifer St. Denis said. "I said, 'Oh My God' where were the shots fired? Where were they aimed?'"

Johnson's car continued another 40 feet before finally stopping, according to the report. O'Hara was hospitalized for treatment of cuts on his leg and elbow. His partner was also treated for minor injuries.

Many neighbors complained of past problems at Johnson's home, and prosecutors noted his history of drug arrests in court documents.

"They think they're slick. They'll have people pull up to the mailboxes and he'll jump out his back door and over the fence, like it's not obvious what's going on,” said St. Denis.

Johnson, a father of two who was already on probation for a 2013 burglary, was arrested in two separate incidents this year, accused of drug possession and driving with a suspended license.

In this case, prosecutors charged Johnson with assault of public safety personnel, interfering with an officer, assault and heroin possession.

"We've had cops raid their house God knows how many times now. It's about time it's ended,” said St. Denis.

Johnson's bail was set at $500,000 bond. He’s due back in court in April.

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