Person Of Interest Detained In Granada Hills Crash That Injured Officer
GRANADA HILLS (CBSLA.com) — Authorities have detained a person of interest after a narcotics officer was struck and injured by a vehicle in the San Fernando Valley.
Police received a call just after noon Thursday and responded to the 10900 block of Haskell Avenue after the officer with the Los Angeles Police Department was reportedly struck by a vehicle.
"One of our narcotics officers was trapped on the vehicle, somehow on the running board, and was taken northbound on Haskell with the suspect to this point, where the suspect actually crashed up onto the sidewalk and into a wrought-iron fence," Lt. Andrew Neiman of the LAPD said.
The officer was taken to the hospital with critical but non-life threatening injuries, according to the lieutenant.
"Chief Charlie Beck is with him at this time and we are hoping for a full recovery," the lieutenant said.
After the incident, a large perimeter was set-up in search of the suspect, who allegedly fled on foot. Several schools were placed on lockdown as a precaution.
"Officers from all over the Valley responded to this incident along with our Metropolitan K-9 units, who searched for the outstanding suspect," Neiman said. "We have at this time detained one individual that we believe matches that description."
The lieutenant said the person who was taken into custody after 3 p.m. was considered a person of interest until "investigators can confirm that he is in fact the person responsible for this crime against our officer."
Their investigation is ongoing.