Police: Officer injured after driver of stolen vehicle intentionally hits squad car

Minneapolis police say one of the department’s officers is recovering from non-life threatening injuries after the squad car the officer was in was intentionally hit by the driver of a stolen vehicle.

According to police, officers were called to the 2800 block of Pleasant Avenue S. around 8:40 p.m. Friday after receiving information a stolen vehicle was parked in the area.

However, when officers arrived, the suspects drove away in the vehicle, and police didn’t chase them.

The vehicle was later found parked in the 2900 block of Portland Avenue S.

Other officers arrived, and put their squad vehicle in front of the stolen vehicle.

As they got out of their squad, the driver of the stolen vehicle accelerated and intentionally hit the side of the squad, causing an officer’s leg to be pinned in the door.

Police continued to then monitor the stolen vehicle’s GPS information while the injured officer was treated, and tried to apprehend the suspects again.

This time, officers chased the vehicle, and began coordinating with the GPS provider, who then disabled the vehicle while it was on Highway 394.

Two people were arrested – one on a felony warrant for auto theft, and the other was booked for Assault, Auto Theft and Fleeing in a Motor Vehicle after he was observed at Hennepin Health due to telling police he had taken drugs.

The injured officer, who was not identified, was taken to Hennepin Healthcare to be treated for injuries.