Auburn police officer suffers broken leg during pursuit

An Auburn Police Department officer is in the hospital after breaking his leg while pursuing a suspect Thursday night at the Cayuga Inn at the Finger Lakes.

Officer Anthony Mastropietro shattered two bones in his lower leg during the pursuit, Chief James Slayton told The Citizen. The suspect, Lawrence A. Atkins, 47, of Auburn, was eventually apprehended.

Slayton said police saw Atkins at the hotel earlier that day while serving unrelated subpoenas. Because his presence there violated an order of protection against him by an ex-girlfriend, and because he also had a warrant for his arrest out of Seneca County, officers returned that night to arrest him.

Atkins began fleeing while being handcuffed by Mastropietro, Slayton said. During the pursuit they turned a corner and the officer's leg hit a metal doorframe, causing his injury.

Other officers were able to catch Atkins and take him into custody a short distance from the hotel on South Street, Slayton said. He has been charged with second-degree assault (a class D felony), aggravated family offense (a class E felony), second-degree criminal contempt (a class A misdemeanor) and resisting arrest (a class A misdemeanor).

Mastropietro was transported to Upstate University Hospital, where he underwent surgery on Friday. A second surgery will be needed once his swelling has subsided, Slayton said.

The chief believes the incident highlights the need for people to comply with police. He noted that a couple other Auburn officers were injured this past week.

"This injury could have been prevented," he said. "This comes down to compliance when police advise you that you're under arrest."

Executive Editor David Wilcox can be reached at (315) 282-2245 or .

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