PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Chester County police sergeant was arrested for allegedly shooting into a moving car while attempting to make a traffic stop last month.
In a statement, Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said “no one is above the law,” referring to the arrest of Sgt. Anthony Sparano of the West Caln Police Department for recklessly endangering another person, simple assault, and shooting into an occupied vehicle.
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Officials say on Nov. 10, 53-year-old Sparano — in full uniform and a marked police car — pulled a woman over for making a left turn at a red stoplight on Route 340 at Compass Road.
The driver refused to provide her license and registration, and she took off. That’s when, authorities say, Sparano fired one round from his service weapon at the car, striking a rear side window and causing the glass to shatter inside the car.
The woman was taken to the hospital for minor injuries. She was arrested and charged with a number of offenses, including possessing a firearm without a license, fleeing to avoid an officer and driving without a license. She is free on bail.
The Chester County District Attorney’s Office says Sparano unlawfully used his service weapon. According to authorities, video from Sparano’s body cam and the driver’s cellphone shows that there was no imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury to Sparano or anyone else.
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Ryan added, “[Law enforcement officers] have a duty to attempt to de-escalate potentially volatile situations and never to engage in the use of excessive force. The use of deadly force, in this case, was not justified in any way.”
Sparano’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 30. He was released on his own recognizance.