Local

Arnold police officer suspended without pay after allegedly staging hit-and-run with patrol vehicle

ARNOLD, Pa. — An Arnold police officer is off the job— suspended without pay — after police said he staged a hit-and-run accident involving his patrol vehicle.

Arnold police officer, Ryan Clark, is facing two misdemeanor charges accused of making a false report and tampering with evidence.

County detectives said officer Clark called in the accident from the Sunoco parking lot on Freeport Road a few weeks ago.

He said someone struck his cruiser and took off.

Clark allegedly told responding officers that the cameras outside the Sunoco were not working.

But three days later, police got tipped off that the cameras were, in fact, working.

Video allegedly showed Clark pulling out a piece of damaged panel from inside the cruiser and leaning it against the passenger side rear fender.

Police said a few minutes later, Clark can be seen with a customer near his cruiser, inspecting the damage. He then called in the accident to 911 as a reported hit-and-run.

Investigators told Channel 11 he actually struck a concrete barrier with his patrol vehicle inside the Union Cemetery across the street.

The mayor of Arnold confirmed Clark has been on the force for three to four years.

He is suspended without pay pending the outcome of this investigation.

Clark’s attorney said he could not comment at this point.

Clark is due in court for a preliminary hearing next month.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW