Warren Cop Run Over In Suspected Auto Theft

WARREN (WWJ) - A Warren police officer has plenty to be thankful for after he was run over by suspected auto thieves and escaped with only minor injuries.

The officer was part of a Macomb County auto surveillance task force that tried to stop the pair from stealing a 2001 Jeep in Warren near Frazho and Groesbeck.

Warren Police Commissioner Jere Green said the incident took place at 12 a.m. on Wednesday. Talking to WWJ Newsradio 950, he described what happened.

"The stolen vehicle backed up, struck the Warren officer, and then the vehicle was put in drive," said Green. "It did a U-turn of sorts and ran the officer over.  The tires actually went over the officer's lower extremities."

Shots were fired by police attempting to stop the suspects from futher injuring the fallen officer.

The suspects, a 23-year-old Detroit man and 17-year-old Eastpointe man, also slammed into some of the surveillance squad's vehicles as they attempted to escape.  They were both arrested and will be arraigned in 37th District Court.

The injuried officer was treated at a local hospital and has been released.