Police responding to a call at a housing project in Westbrook Friday night fired a shot when a pizza-delivery driver failed to stop and, police said, nearly hit an officer.
According to the police report, a Portland man, who was delivering pizza at Westbrook Pointe housing project, said he didn’t stop because he thought he was being robbed. The officers were wearing uniforms. The pizza driver was handcuffed, but not arrested.
Westbrook Officer Phil Robinson, who fired the shot, has been placed on administrative leave, pending a review by the Maine’s Attorney General’s office. Officer Steve Pulsoni, who was nearly struck by the pizza delivery vehicle, declined comment.
The drama unfolded when Pulsoni and Robinson were dispatched to the project, formerly named Westbrook Gardens, around 10 p.m.. Police received a call from a woman who reported a woman screaming and gunshots near the project’s office. The caller also reported hearing someone yell “you killed my mother” and a car engine revving. As it turned out, that call proved to be unfounded.
But, police said, when the two officers arrived on the scene, they spotted a suspicious, unoccupied vehicle with the driver’s door open near a cul de sac at the project. As they approached, a man ran from behind a building, jumped in the vehicle and made a U-turn in an attempt to leave. The driver failed to stop when commanded by Pulsoni and Robinson, police said.
The police report said the vehicle swerved toward Robinson after nearly hitting Pulsoni. Robinson, who feared being struck, fired one shot at the vehicle. The driver stopped and the driver was removed from the car.
No injuries were reported in the incident and the delivery vehicle received minor damage. Police identified the driver as Todd Fenwick.
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