LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. — At a press conference Wednesday, Lebanon County District Attorney Pier Hess Graf said the officer who shot at a carjacking and armed robbery suspect in a November 7 incident was justified in doing so.
On Nov. 7 at 2:24 p.m., Graf said, Lebanon City Police were dispatched to the 1000 block of Brandywine Street for a report of gunshots. Officers arrived and, with the assistance of the public, were able to identify the suspect who had fired the shots, Cesar Wilkins Romero-Colon. The suspect purchased the gun, which was stolen, in a "street transaction," According to the DA's Office.
The victim was found near the scene and reported that he was told by Romero-Colon to empty his pockets as he displayed a black handgun.
The victim ran but reported hearing a gunshot behind him.
Romero-Colon allegedly fled the scene on a bicycle before police arrived.
At 2:59 p.m., Lebanon City Police responded to the area of 511 N. 2nd Street for a report of a motor vehicle theft.
At the scene, officers located a second victim who reported that their 2005 Dodge Caravan had been stolen.
The victim told police that he had left his car unattended with the keys inside and that when he returned, it was being operated by Romero-Colon. According to police, the victim approached the car when Romero-Colon stated, "Don't get too close or I will shoot you" before pointing a handgun.
Moments later, South Lebanon Police located the stolen car, which was being driven by Romero-Colon.
After being spotted, Romero-Colon attempted to flee in the car, but caused a crash, leaving the stolen car disabled.
At Thursday's press conference, Graf said that a 70-year-old man involved in the crash was taken to a medical center and underwent "serious treatment" after the incident. The DA's Offices believes he has since been released.
After the collision, Romero-Colon lost control of the vehicle and crashed in a field. He then exited the stolen vehicle and allegedly attempted to flee the scene on foot.
He was later observed trying to carjack another car. Attempting to stop the robbery, officers intervened, to which Romero-Colon allegedly physically confronted officers while armed, trying to take a police car.
The officer was able to pull the police cruiser forward, causing Romero-Colon to fall to the ground.
While on the ground, the suspect allegedly sat up and pointed his gun directly at an officer, who fired two gunshots at him, according to police. The DA ruled this use of force justified and appropriate under the law.
No one was injured when the officer fired their weapon.
Romero-Colon reportedly then dropped his firearm and surrendered to police when he observed additional police vehicles and officers arriving.
He was taken into custody without further incident. Romero-Colon's bail was set at $1 million.
The Lebanon County Detective Bureau and Lebanon City Police Department jointly filed charges against the suspect. He is charged with multiple counts of felony robbery, aggravated assault on police, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm without a license and flight from police.
“Cesar Colon attacked our community, its citizens, and our police,” said DA Hess Graf in a press release. "Colon exhibited reckless and selfish behavior at every avenue – from the decision to illegally procure a weapon, to the multiple armed robberies, the vehicle crash, and the efforts to carjack a uniformed police officer at gunpoint. Being a police officer in today’s world is more dangerous today than ever before. We commend the efforts of each officer involved that day and thank the South Lebanon Police Officer for ensuring the crime spree ended without a loss of life. The true message to criminals in our County, to those thinking about bringing their lawlessness to Lebanon County, is simple – ‘don’t.’ We will pursue you, we will take the necessary actions to stop you, we will arrest you, and we will get justice before a jury. Other areas of the Country may fool themselves into the belief that criminals aren’t dangerous. Men like Cesar COLON are the epitome of why our brave police serve and protect us daily. As your District Attorney I promise our Office will take every effort possible under the law to stop them."
Lebanon County DA Hess Graf discusses the incidents, the charges against Romero-Colon and the justification of the officer firing their weapon in the press conference above.