A Columbia Heights police officer escaped injury when he jumped out of the way as a man drove toward him and struck a squad car while fleeing the scene.
Officers on the morning of Nov. 19 were responding to a call about a suspicious person sleeping in a beige BMW on the 4200 block of NE. 3rd Street. As two officers attempted to identify the man, the suspect accelerated toward and attempted to hit one of them. The officer was able to avoid injury by jumping out of the way, said Captain Matt Markham.
The suspect hit an unmarked squad car, causing considerable damage as he fled the scene, Markham said.
Police determined that the BMW had been stolen in Minnetonka and they later found the car unoccupied in Fridley. As of Monday, police had not caught the suspect.
Officers were wearing body cameras when they approached the suspect. Police on Monday distributed still images of the suspect in hopes somebody will recognize him and call authorities.
Anybody with information can call 763-427-1212.
Tim Harlow • 612-673-7768
