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Re: Off-Duty Cop Robbed at Police Seminar
Off-Duty Cop Robbed at Police Seminar
03/27/09 12:49 pm | reporter: Ann Mercogliano producer: Myles Snyder
Swatara Township, Pa. - A Harrisburg man is accused of robbing an off-duty police officer at gunpoint inside a hotel that was hosting a police seminar.
Nineteen-year-old Jerome Blanchett was taken into custody by the victim and several of his colleagues this morning as he tried to make his escape in a waiting taxi, according to police.
Swatara Township police say the incident occurred at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg East, at 4751 Lindle Road, shortly before 8:30 a.m. The hotel was hosting the Narcotics Law Enforcement Seminar.
"He was probably the stupidest criminal in the state of Pennsylvania," said John Comparetto, a 35-year law enforcement veteran in New York and New Jersey. "There was a big sign by the front door that said,' Welcome Pennsylvania Narcotics Officers Association.' He had to walk right past that sign. There were 300 cops in here. There were police cars all over the parking lot."
Comparetto says he's been involved in at least half a dozen shootouts but never starred down the barrel of a gun before today. He was speaking at the conference and had stepped out to use a restroom.
"When I finished, he started walking towards me, reached in, pulled out a large automatic and put it to my face," Comparetto said. "He said to me, 'if you move, I'll kill you.'"
Comparetto says the suspect demanded his cash and cell phone - then told him to drop his pants.
"I have an ankle holster on. I didn't want him to see it so I dropped my pants, but I covered the ankle holster," he said. "He exited the door. I drew my gun. As I'm picking up my pants, I ran out."
Police say Blanchett fled to the parking lot and jumped into a taxi. But after he ran past the front desk, hotel workers called 911 and notified other off-duty officers attending the conference.
Comparetto says he confronted the suspect in the cab.
"I said, 'Let me see your hands. If you move your hands, I'll kill ya,'" he said.
Within seconds, Comparetto says at least ten officers dragged the suspect out of the cab and placed him in handcuffs before on-duty police officers arrived on the scene.
"I think bizarre is a good word to describe the sequence of events," said Lt. Tom Staufer of Swatara Township Police. "Something like that doesn't happen every day."
Blanchett was charged with robbery, terroristic threats, reckless endangerment, simple assault and firearms violations.
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