Truck drags West Valley police officer attempting to stop suspect

A West Valley City police officer was dragged approximately 10 feet by a truck Thursday afternoon as he attempted to stop a shoplifting suspect.

Officers originally were called out to a theft in progress at a WalMart at 6200 South and 5600 West at about 1:30 p.m., West Valley police Sgt. Mike Powell said.

In a nearby neighborhood, an officer located a truck that fit the description of the truck that the people involved in the theft were in, so he attempted to make contact with them. Three people were inside the truck and the driver was being uncooperative while the officer waited for backup, Powell said.

"The suspect tried to drive off but the officer had his arm stuck in the vehicle's window," Powell said.

The officer was dragged about 10 feet before he broke out a window and freed his arm, according to Powell.

"The suspects fled briefly in the truck and then abandoned their vehicle in the neighborhood," Powell said. "But in just a quick time all three of them were apprehended and they have all been booked into the Salt Lake County Jail."

Officers recovered from the truck about $800 worth of merchandise that had been stolen from WalMart, according to Powell.

The officer who was dragged suffered minor injures to his arm, which required some stitches.

—Ethan Thomas