LITTLETON, Colo. – Authorities are looking for a driver who struck a Littleton police officer with a stolen car, around Noon on Wednesday. The officer suffered minor injuries.
Police say the officer spotted the car in a parking lot at the Centennial Square Shopping Center on West Belleview near South Prince.
“He ran the plates and determined that the car was stolen,” Cmdr. Trent Cooper said. “He called for backup.”
Once that backup arrived, the officer approached the car.
“That’s when the driver accelerated and struck one of the officers,” Cooper said. “One shot was fired at the vehicle.”
John Mallon, who works at a nearby furniture store, was outside helping a customer load some items in a car when he heard the gunshot.
“I saw the car speeding away and then a cop took off right after it,” Mallon Said
Kathy Nguyen, at Trinity Nails, told Denver7 that she saw the car hit the officer and the officer fall to the ground.
“He got up right away,” she said.
Cooper said it’s not clear who fired the shot or exactly where the car was when the shot was fired.
Cooper added that investigators don't know yet whether the round struck the car or the person inside.
When asked if the officer who was struck by the car is the one who fired the round, Cooper said, “that’s part of the investigation.”
Cooper said the injured officer was taken to a local hospital with several bruises.
“He’s been released, but he’s still aching and still shaken up,” Cooper said.
The driver of the car fled north on Santa Fe.
The investigation into the identity of the driver is ongoing. She is described as Hispanic with dyed blond hair, 25-30 years old, and a large build. The vehicle is described as an older, dark blue, sedan with heavy body damage, possibly a Honda or Buick.