Mercedes Hits Cop In Times Square, NYPD Says

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — The NYPD is searching for two men wanted for running over a police officer in Times Square during a traffic stop, police said.

Arfhy Santos, 20, and William Lopez, 24, were driving a black 4-door Mercedes Benz sedan just before midnight Saturday on West 42nd Street near Eighth Avenue when a police officer attempted to stop the car, the NYPD said. Instead of pulling over for the officer, the driver struck the officer with his car before driving off, police said.

The traffic stop was initiated because the car was driving recklessly, police said.

The officer who was hit suffered non life-threatening injuries to his legs and back and was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital in stable condition, police said.

Police do not know the whereabouts of Santos or Lopez or which man was in the driver's seat at the time of the traffic stop.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).

Photo by NYPD