An Atlantic City Police K9 team faced a dangerous situation Tuesday evening in the city when the driver of a car being pulled over during the investigation of a stolen car ignored police orders and accelerated at the officer and his K9 partner hitting them and causing the officer to land on the hood of the moving car.

The Atlantic City Police released a statement on Facebook Wednesday detailing the situation.

Just after 9 pm on Tuesday, Nov. 30, Atlantic City Police stopped a Ford Fusion that had been previously reported stolen. The same vehicle had fled an attempted motor vehicle stop by an Atlantic City police officer earlier in the day and was not located.

The police stopped the car at New Jersey and Baltic Aves., where they were assisted by K9 Officer Anthony Grajales-Prado and his partner, K9 Chase.

police say that after the vehicle stopped, a passenger, Najaye Cooper-Albright, exited and attempted to run away. Detective Dodson quickly apprehended Cooper-Albright who resisted arrest before being taken into custody.

At that point, the driver, Kasauhn Carpenter, ignored commands from the officers and accelerated towards Officer Grajales-Prado and K9 Chase. Officer Grajales-Prado was struck by the vehicle causing him to end up on the hood before being thrown off. K9 Chase was also struck by the vehicle, according to police. Both sustained minor injuries

Carpenter was stopped a short time later on the Atlantic City Expressway by NJ State Police officers and was taken into custody.

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Officer Grajales-Prado Officer Grajales-Prado was transported to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Division, and was later released.

Kasauhn Carpenter, 18, of Atlantic City has been charged with attempted murder,  aggravated assault, assault by auto, and eluding charges. He is being held in the Atlantic County justice facility.

Najaye Cooper-Albright, 18 of Atlantic City was charged with obstruction of justice, resisting arrest and other charges and was released on a summons with a court date pending.

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