The Arizona police officer who rammed his car into an armed suspect was previously involved in a lawsuit while working for the New York Police Department. Michael Rapiejko was accused of approaching a man as he got out of his car in October 2005 and pointing a gun at him before handcuffing him and threatening to shoot him in front of his wife and four children. The plaintiff, Luis Colon, also claimed that Rapiejko choked him and ordered that he get back into his car. Scroll down for videos . Michael Rapiejko (above) was accused of approaching Luis Colon as he got out of his car in October 2005, pointing a gun at him and threatening to shoot him . According to NBC 4, Rapiejko's defense team said that while their client did point a gun at the man and order him back into his car, the other claims were untrue. Colon was charged with obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, all charges that were dropped in April 2006. In the end, the city settled with Colon for $20,000 under the condition that he dismiss all other claims. The settlement was reached in December 2008, the same time Rapiejko left the New York Police Department and joined the Tucson Police Department. This as Rapiejko is under fire for using possible excessive force when he mowed down an armed suspect (above) in his police vehicle . The officer joined the Marana Police Department roughly a year-and-a-half ago, where he is now being investigated by Internal Affairs. Rapiejko, a Cross Fit devotee, calls himself Robocop. Video of the February 19 incident emerged earlier this week, and shows Rapiejko, 34, running into suspect Mario Valencia, who was carrying what appears to be a rifle, and who seems to point the weapon to the sky and fire off shots. A police officer in one of the patrol cars says: 'One round just went out. He's definitely loaded.' He then tells his colleague, Officer Michael Rapiejko, in the other vehicle: 'Stand off, the gun is loaded.' Mario Valencia (above) was in the hospital for two days after being hit by Rapiejko . But apparently ignoring his advice, Rapiejko overtakes the officer's car, before speeding straight toward Valencia. Seconds later, his vehicle mounts the curb and smashes into the suspect's body. Valencia is sent flying into the air, while the car crashes through a concrete wall before coming to a halt amid debris. The other officer can be heard shouting in shock: 'Oh! Jesus Christ, man down.' Valencia was rushed to University of Arizona Medical Center in serious condition following the crash and was eventually booked into jail two days later. Sergeant Chris Warren said at the time that Valencia 'was a dangerous felon who'd been on a crime spree throughout the morning'. This crime spree allegedly involved theft at a convenience store at, vandalism and burglary at the Tucson Baptist Temple, a home invasion and theft of a car. It culminated with the alleged theft of a rifle from Walmart, after which he was hit by Rapiejko's police vehicle. Rapiejko was put on standard administrative leave after the crash, but soon reinstated after the Pima County Attorney's Office cleared the officer of any wrongdoing. Valencia is facing several felony charges for his alleged crime spree.
Michael Rapiejko was accused of approaching Luis Colon as he got out of his car in October 2005, pointing a gun at him and threatening to shoot him . Colon, who was with his wife and four children, claimed Rapiejko also handcuffed and choked him, over charges which were later dropped . Colon sued and in December 2008 was awarded $20,000 by the city, the same month Rapiejko left the New York Police Department . This as Rapiejko is under fire for using possible excessive force when he mowed down an armed suspect in his police vehicle . Rapiejko, a Cross Fit devotee, calls himself Robocop .