A Palos Hills police officer was struck by a stolen car earlier this week as the driver fled from the scene, according to police.
Police were called to the 7900 block of 111th Place around 10 p.m. Sept. 24 for a theft from a motor vehicle complaint, according to a news release.
Police said they located multiple suspects inside a stolen vehicle at the 11300 block of Moraine Drive. When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver accelerated directly at an officer who was struck, but able to avoid serious injury, police said.
The driver rammed a police squad car and the officer was dragged along the side of the squad until he escaped at the rear of the vehicle, police said.
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The suspects fled in the stolen vehicle at a high rate of speed, police said.
Other police departments were notified, but were unable to stop the vehicle.
Palos Hills police have been investigating several thefts from motor vehicles over the past few weeks.
“These types of incidents are becoming an epidemic throughout the Chicagoland area and the repeat offenders have no fear of the criminal justice system,” said Palos Hills Police Chief Paul Madigan in a statement. “Not only are they breaking into vehicles in the area, but they have no second thoughts in attempting to run over a police officer.”