Two people who were passing by as a Norwalk police officer was struggling with a drug suspect stopped to help and they will be honored for helping making the arrest.
The incident happened at South Main and Merritt streets at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday when Norwalk Police Patrol Officer Kyle Lipeika was investigating suspected drug activity.
When he approached Michael Schanck and another person, Schanck tried to hide drugs in his sweatshirt, and that was just the beginning of his attempt to elude police, police said.
When Lipeika tried to arrest Schanck, the suspect resisted violently, so the officer tackled him in a snow bank, but the 53-year-old Norwalk man continued to resist, police said.
As Lipeika continued to struggle with Schanck, two people, identified only as passing motorists, stopped and helped him take Schanck into custody, police said.
Schanck, who police said has a lengthy criminal record, was in possession of crack cocaine and nine bags of heroin.
Lipeika sustained injuries during the arrest and was evaluated at the Norwalk Hospital, police said.
Chief Thomas Kulhawik praised Officer Lipeika for his action.
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He also expressed thanks for the help from the two motorists who assisted the officer and plans to formally recognize them for their selfless action at an upcoming police commission meeting.
Schanck was charged with possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics within 1,500 feet of a school, possession of narcotics with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia, assault on a police officer, interfering with a police officer and additional charges.
He was held on a $20,000 bond and is due in court on Feb. 20.
