Police: Two officers injured while attempting to take men into custody

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee police say two officers were injured on Saturday afternoon, June 21st when attempting to take two suspects into custody after police say they were found to be passengers in a vehicle used in an armed robbery.

It happened just after 1:00 p.m. Saturday -- in the 4900 block of N. 76th Street.

Danielle Thomas watched it unfold.

"I saw the commotion out there. Heard sirens and saw police all over the block -- so it freaked me out. Glad my kids wasn't outside when all of it went down," Thomas said.

Police officers were able to observe a vehicle in traffic, reported as being used in an armed robbery that occurred on May 31st in the 2900 block of N. Locust Street.

Upon stopping the vehicle -- officers observed a female driver and two male passengers.

"I think they were in the neighborhood, and when things began to happen, they recognized my house and pulled into my driveway," a man, who didn't want to be identified told FOX6 News.

The man says he's disheartened, not only by what happened, but by the fact that he knows one of the men eventually taken into custody by police.

Police say as officers tried to remove the male passengers from the vehicle -- both actively resisted.

Police say one of the suspects attempted to flee on foot, which led to a struggle to take him into custody.

During the struggle, police say a male officer with 22 years of service sustained a minor injury.

The officer was taken to the hospital -- where he was treated and released.

Police say a search of the suspect revealed a fully loaded semi-automatic handgun that had been reported stolen in Milwaukee in 2011.

Police say as the second male suspect was being escorted away from the vehicle -- he also began to struggle, causing substantial facial injuries to a female officer with over six-and-a-half years of service.

A search of the suspect revealed a fully loaded semi-automatic handgun that had been reported stolen in Milwaukee in 2012.

The officer was treated and released from the hospital.

"She was holding an ice pack up to her face. I feel bad for the officer because they were just trying to do their job.This really hurt me to know this happened -- especially in my yard. And I know the gentleman. One of the young men is a roofer. He works every day. The other young man is a carpenter. He works every day," the man, who asked that his identity be protected told FOX6 News.

This man tells FOX6 News he believes these men should have made better choices.

"I think the two supposed suspects acted without thought," the man said.

Police say although driving the vehicle reported as used in the armed robbery, the occupants have not been linked in any way to the robbery on May 31st.