[Update] Newtown Man, 82, Accused of Hitting Bethel Police Officer is Released

Werner Schulz, 82, of Newtown, accused of hitting a police officer in Bethel, has had his bond dropped and been released  from custody, according to court files.

Schulz was charged Wednesday with operating under suspension, engaging police in pursuit, interfering with an officer and assault on an officer after he allegedly struggled with police, Bethel officials said.

Earlier in the day, Bethel police stopped Schulz in connection with a suspended license, officials said. He later returned to the police department to retrieve items and was spotted driving off, which was unlawful due to his license suspension, police said.

Officers tried to stop him, engaging in a brief pursuit prior before his car was caught in traffic, police said. When an officer approached, Schulz did not want to get out of the car and allegedly slammed a car door on the officer's finger and punched the officer in the face, police said.

Schulz was eventually taken into custody, held on $2,500 bond and later arraigned in state Superior Court in Danbury.

His bond was eventually dropped and he was released on a promise to appear March 24 in state Superior Court in Danbury.

The officer involved in the struggle sustained minor injuries that did not require medical attention.