Suspects indicted for Chemung County incident that left sheriff's investigator injured
Two suspects involved in a late March incident that sent an investigator with the Chemung County Sheriff's Office to the hospital with critical injuries have been indicted on multiple charges.
A Chemung County grand jury indicted Dominick Haley and Fatiuna Massaline, both 24 and both of Ithaca, for assault on a police officer and second-degree assault, both felonies.
The second-degree assault indictment against Haley stems from an injury suffered by state police investigator Brian Kozemko while he was pursuing the suspect. Haley was additionally indicted on a misdemeanor count of petit larceny.
On March 29, sheriff's office investigator Michael Theetge was part of a joint investigation with New York State Police into retail theft at shopping centers along county Route 64 in the Town of Big Flats.
While pursuing a male larceny suspect fleeing the Target store, Theetge and the suspect, later identified as Haley, ended up on the hood of a Chevy Impala attempting to pick him up, according to state police. The Impala then accelerated and turned sharply, state police said, ejecting both men from the hood.
Theetge struck his head and suffered a skull fracture and brain bleed. He was initially treated at Guthrie Corning Hospital and was later airlifted to Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre in critical condition.
Theetge's condition has 'made significant improvements'
Theetge's condition has since improved and he was recently transferred to a rehabilitation facility in Rochester, according to Chemung County Sheriff Bill Schrom.
"He has made significant improvements in this short period of time, but still has a very long road to recovery ahead of him," Schrom said on his Facebook page.
Since the March 29 incident, organizations and individuals throughout the community have made donations to help cover the cost of Theetge's medical care.
"The outpouring of support from Mike’s colleagues and the public for him and his family has been and continues to be absolutely incredible and overwhelming," Schrom said.
More: Michael Hoosock, officer killed in Syracuse, remembered: 'He was devoted to public service'
Haley was arrested at the scene of the incident. Masseline, who police identified as the driver of the Impala, was apprehended the following evening.
Haley and Masseline remain in custody at the Chemung County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.
Follow Jeff Murray on Twitter @SGJeffMurray. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Indictments in Chemung incident that injured sheriff's investigator
