LA MESA (CNS) - A police sergeant escaped serious injury early Wednesday when a car, abandoned by a fleeing auto-theft suspect, rolled into him and dragged him about 50 feet down on an East County street.
Officers spotted the stolen 1995 Honda Prelude heading west in the 7700 of Parkway Drive in La Mesa about 3:30 a.m. and began tailing it, according to police.
A short time later, the driver -- a dark-haired man of about 25, wearing jeans and a gray sweat shirt -- turned onto Maryland Avenue, pulled to a stop and jumped out of the car near Guessman Avenue, Capt. David Bond said.
As the suspect ran off to the south into a residential area with officers giving chase, LMPD Sgt. Bret Richards got out of his cruiser and began setting up a perimeter and preparing to coordinate a search. Unbeknownst to Richards, meanwhile, the abandoned stolen sedan began to roll backward.
The Prelude struck the sergeant as he stood in the street, then pulled him down the street until he was able to push himself clear of it.
Medics took Richards to Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, where he was treated for scrapes and bruises and released later in the morning, Bond said.
Officers from several area police agencies searched the area along with sheriff's deputies for about four hours but were unable to locate the unidentified suspect.
THIS IS A STORY UPDATE. For an earlier version, read below.
LA MESA (CBS 8) - A police officer is hurt during the pursuit of a stolen car in the La Mesa area early Wednesday morning.
Officers started following the Honda Prelude, which had been reported stolen, at about 3:30 a.m. on Parkway Drive.
After a brief chase, the driver bailed out of the car and took off near Guessman Avenue and Maryland Avenue.
After getting out of the car, the suspect left the vehicle running and it rolled backwards and hit a sergeant, nearly running him over. He was transported to a hospital with minor injuries.
The search was underway in a La Mesa neighborhood near Maryland Avenue and Guessman Avenue. Residents were warned Wednesday morning not to open their doors if they heard anyone knocking.
The suspect is described as a light-skinned, Hispanic man in his 20s, last seen wearing blue jeans and a dark colored shirt.
If you have any information, you're asked to call the La Mesa Police Department.
