Police Sergeant Injured When Stolen Car Rolls Backward Into Him

A La Mesa police sergeant suffered minor injuries when a stolen car, abandoned by a fleeing man, rolled into him early Wednesday and knocked him onto its trunk, police said.

The 1995 Honda Prelude was reported stolen from 5040 Comanche St. about 3:20 a.m., and police spotted it heading west in the 7700 of Parkway Drive shortly afterward, pulling behind it near Guessman and Maryland avenues, said La Mesa police Capt. David Bond.

Sgt. Bret Richards was among the officers trying to stop the car when its driver slowed down and jumped out while it was still moving, Bond said.

The man ran south into a residential area, with a couple officers in tow, according to the captain. Richards remained on the street near the car.

The Honda rolled backward on the slightly inclined road and struck the sergeant on his left side, knocking him onto the trunk, Bond said.

Richards grabbed the spoiler to keep from getting run over, then jumped off as the car gained speed, Bond said.

Richards, who was bruised and scraped and bruising, went to a hospital to be checked out, Bond said.

Officers searched for the suspect, who got away. Bond said the search ended about 7:45 a.m. Evidence that could help identify the suspect was recovered from the vehicle, Bond said.

Police described him as Hispanic, about 5 feet 10 inches, with dark hair; he was wearing a gray sweatshirt and jeans.

—City News Service