Thursday, 4:30 PM
Tewksbury police officer shot in Billerica
By Brian MacQuarrie, Globe Staff
BILLERICA -- A Tewksbury police officer was wounded during a struggle with a man who robbed a gas station and fled police.
Authorities said the incident unfolded at 11:23 a.m. after a man identified as Joseph Croteau robbed a Mobil gas station on Route 133 and led police on a three mile pursuit into Billerica.
Police say Croteau, 30, lost control of his vehicle and slammed into a pursuing Billerica police cruiser and then hit a pole near Fox Hill Cemetery on Andover Road. Billerica police said Croteau refused to surrender. There was a short pursuit and then Tewksbury Officer Brian O'Neill tackled him and was shot during the confrontation. He was wounded in the leg. Tewksbury Police Chief Alfred Donovan said investigators assume O'Neill was shot with his own gun. A Billerica police officer also was injured. O'Neill has non-life threatening injuries.
Croteau also suffered injuries. The suspect is under police custody at Lowell General Hospital. Authorities said Croteau has a long criminal record including armed robberies.
The incident is under investigation by Billerica and Tewksbury Police.
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