CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Corpus Christi police officers say they are looking for a man who tried to steal a patrol car earlier this morning.
Police say it started around 4:35 a.m. Wednesday morning when the officer was trying to help a stranded driver at a convenience store in the 1600 block of Agnes.
Officers working a crash at 1200 Agnes with a power pole that was knocked down. Officers are redirecting traffic. Please use caution if you are in the area and if possible use another route.
— Corpus Christi PD (@CorpusChristiPD) January 20, 2021
"The officer tried to turn off the vehicle. The offender was able to drive away with the officer still halfway in the vehicle. He was drug about 40 to 50 feet," Lt. Mike Pena said.
The man then crashed the patrol vehicle into a pole on the 1200 block of Agnes and ran off. The impact caused front end damage to the patrol vehicle.
The suspect hasn't been caught. He's described as a Hispanic man with short hair, wearing a white shirt and blue jeans. Police are trying to obtain video from local businesses to identify the man.
Once he's caught, he will face charges of aggravated assault on a peace officer, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and hit and run.
The officer was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. He will not be reprimanded for leaving the patrol vehicle on. According to Lt. Pena, it's customary for officers to leave their patrol units on if they are close to the vehicle.
