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Suspect Shot By Police Following Suffolk County Car Chase Charged

MEDFORD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) --  The suspect recovering in the hospital after being shot by police following a wild car chase overnight in Suffolk County has been identified and charged.

Suffolk police pulled over 34-year-old Michael Schear of Holtsville in a parking lot in Patchogue at around 2 a.m. Sunday morning. He was originally stopped on suspicion of driving drunk.

As an officer approached his car, the Schear took off, leading police on a five-mile chase to North Ocean Avenue in Medford.  

According to police, the vehicle began dragging the officer. The officer managed to free himself began to chase the suspect.

Once stopped, the officer tried to subdue the 34-year-old again. Police say the Schear resisted arrest and the officer shot the suspect one time in the shoulder. 

CBS2's Dave Carlin spoke with neighbors who saw some of the early morning police activity.

"You gotta stop the guy," Patchogue resident Tom Murphy said. "Do whatever you gotta do. I mean he just wounded him, he didn't shoot and kill him. I think that would be a little excessive."

CBS2 reports the officer suffered minor injuries.

Back-up officers were positioned ahead on main roads with spike strips to disable the SUV. Boxing in the driver is what worked, but police say the man was uncooperative and dangerous.

"If their life is in jeopardy by any means they should do what they have to do," Bohemia resident Colleen Doherty said.

Schear was was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment and is now in stable condition. He's facing a list of charges, including DWI with a prior conviction, reckless endangerment, aggravated operation of a motor vehicle, and fleeing an officer.

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