Orlando Police search for driver of stolen vehicle who injured officer

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando police hope that tips will lead them to a suspect who they say stole a car and sent an officer to the hospital on Sunday.

The vehicle was reported stolen in the 500 block of North Westmoreland Drive that afternoon, later spotted by police less than half a mile away at the Ambassador Hotel on Colonial Drive, according to a press release.

In an attempt to stop the suspect from leaving, an officer blocked the stolen vehicle’s path with their cruiser.

As the officer stepped out to confront the suspect, the stolen vehicle struck the cruiser’s driver’s-side door and the officer’s leg was pinned against the door frame, police say.

He was reportedly taken to the hospital as a precaution and sustained a leg injury; the stolen vehicle was recovered soon after, but police say there was no driver on scene.

Detectives with the Orlando Police Department are sharing surveillance images of a possible suspect, as well as this clip from the Ambassador Hotel, while they turn to the public for new leads:

Mobile users, see video here.

Anyone with information on the identity or location of this person is asked to call OPD at 321-235-5300 or Crimeline at 800-423-8477, according to police.

Mobile users, see tweet here.

Cox Media Group