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SLC police officer recovering after being dragged by car during traffic stop

Posted at 5:35 PM, Oct 24, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-24 19:35:13-04

SALT LAKE CITY – A Salt Lake City police officer sustained minor injuries after being dragged by a car Saturday morning. Now the search is on for the suspects.

At about 10 a.m., the officer noticed a Nissan Armada with the entire left-side window smashed. The officer stopped the driver near 510 West and 400 South. The officer walked up to the car and found a woman was driving and a man was in the passenger seat.

“The officer asked the male to show his hands at which time the male brought his hands up and the officer heard a large, heavy object hit the floor,” said Sgt. Brandon Shearer with Salt Lake City Police Department.

Not sure if it was a weapon, the officer asked them for ID.

As the officer walked back to his car, he saw the man reaching under the seat.

“The officer inquired as to whether or not the male dropped was drugs and the male indicated that it was drugs,” Shearer said.

At that point, the officer ordered the driver to step out of the vehicle. However, the man put the vehicle in drive, and the woman pushed on the gas.

With the door still open and the officer holding on, she rammed into a large, cement barrier.

“It appears to be an attempt to smash the officer. The officer was drug for about 20 feet before he was able to get loose and get away from the vehicle,” Shearer said.

The suspects then fled the scene.

Police say the officer received minor injuries to his feet and arms but was not taken to the hospital.

Hours later, authorities found the suspects’ vehicle in West Jordan. Their search continues for the man and woman.

Investigators know they’re dealing with suspects who have a criminal history, but don’t want to reveal their identities at this time. They worry their investigation could be compromised.

The extreme measures these suspects took is alarming to investigators. They say unpredictable behavior puts officers and the public’s lives at risk.

“We want to make sure not only is the public kept safe, but we want to make sure our officers are kept safe as well,” Shearer said.

However, anyone with information related to this incident is asked to call Salt Lake City Police tip line at 801-799-3000.