Meriden Officer Lauded For Capturing Attempted Murder Suspect: PD

MERIDEN, CT — A Meriden police officer is being lauded for capturing a suspect wanted on an attempted murder warrant in Vermont, according to a police Facebook post. Officer Raeshaun Finney has been awarded Officer of the Month for his efforts.

Police said that a 2011 white Mercedes C300 was stolen from the Mobil gas station at 954 E. Main St. Officers flooded the area looking for the stolen car.

Finney spotted the car a short time later in the area of Pratt Street at Center Street. The suspect fled, then stopped the car a short while later and fled on foot.

Finney chased the suspect, Matthew Champagne, on foot through some yards before apprehending him at gunpoint, according to police.

Finney detained Champagne until Officer White arrived to assist in handcuffing him.

When police ran Champagne’s name through a national crime database, they found he was wanted out of Vermont for a fully extraditable attempted murder warrant.

Champagne was charged with second-degree larceny, interfering with police, reckless driving, engaging police in pursuit, and operating without a license.

He was held on a $50,000 bond. The agency in Vermont will be completing the paperwork and process to extradite him.

See related: Man Wanted For Attempted Murder In VT Arrested In Meriden: Report