Officer injured while trying to stop stolen vehicle: Saskatoon police

Saskatoon police are searching for a suspect after an officer was injured while investing a stolen vehicle downtown.

Police got a call around 3:55 p.m. Tuesday of a vehicle being stolen from an address on Edmonton Avenue. The driver had reportedly left it running with the keys inside.

An officer then spotted the stolen vehicle in the 300 block of Avenue T North.

“While he was investigating, the suspect got out of the vehicle and fled. The officer pursued (on foot) and during that time was struck by a vehicle,” police spokesperson Kelsie Fraser.

The collision happened at Idylwyld Drive and 33rd Street. The driver involved remained on scene.

The officer has since been identified as a 37-year-old man with 14 years’ police service in Saskatoon. He was taken to hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

“Their colleague and coworker was injured so their thoughts are with him, but at the same time we are attempting to locate the suspect,” Fraser said.

Police are now looking for the male suspect who initially fled the stolen vehicle.

Officers described the man as being in his mid-twenties, wearing a black and white wind jacket, dark-coloured pants and a ball cap. The suspect also appeared to have some facial hair, possibly a mustache.

Drivers are being asked to avoid the scene area.

At least a dozen cruisers blocked the stretch of 33rd Street from Avenue C to Idylwyld Drive for more than an hour.

Traffic restrictions are expected to be in place 33rd Street West between Idywyld Drive and Avenue C North for several hours Tuesday evening as the collision analyst unit investigates.