Mesa, AZ - Suspect Punched Police Officer - Taserd Suspect Steals Mesa Patrol Car - Chase - Crash - K-9 and Swat Got Him

 

Police: Man Struck Officer, Stole Patrol Car
POSTED: 7:25 am MST July 23, 2008
UPDATED: 7:41 am MST July 23, 2008

Phoenix News


PHOENIX -- Police arrested a man who they said punched a police officer and escaped in a patrol car Tuesday night, authorities said.

Anthony Olea, 21, was trying to force two women into a car when Mesa police officers arrived at the scene scene, officers said.

When police tried to handcuff Olea, he hit one of the officers, police said. Officers then used a Taser on the suspect, but he pulled off the probes and fled in a Mesa patrol car, police said.

After driving about 200 feet, jumping a curb on Greenfield Road and blowing out two tires, Olea abandoned the car and ran into an orange grove, officers said.

According to police, officers established a perimeter, and K-9 and SWAT units searched the area and found Olea.

Police arrested Olea on charges of aggravated assault, possession of a stolen vehicle and felony flight.