A morning theft call in San Francisco ended in tragedy on Friday when a passing car struck a fleeing suspect and two police officers. The suspect, a man police say tried to steal from a Nob Hill Trader Joe’s, later died. Both officers suffered leg injuries and are expected to recover.
The crash happened just after 7:30 a.m. near the intersection of California and Hyde streets. Officers had responded to a theft report at the store, which had not yet opened for the day. They tried to detain the suspect, but he broke away and ran into the street during the morning rush. Two officers chased him there, and seconds later a Lexus SUV plowed into all three.
How a shoplifting call turned deadly
The scene escalated fast. Video from the area shows the suspect running along the sidewalk before he stumbles to the ground. Officers pile on top of him in the street as they try to make the arrest. A dark Lexus then rounds the corner and bears down on the group, which stays in its path for several seconds. The driver cannot stop in time and strikes the three.
One officer ended up pinned beneath the SUV. Firefighters arrived within minutes and worked with police to free him. Paramedics treated everyone at the scene, then rushed all three to a hospital. The suspect died there despite efforts to save him.
Police say the driver was unrelated to the theft. The driver stayed at the scene and is cooperating with investigators. So far officials have not said how fast the Lexus was going or what caused the crash.
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A foot pursuit now under review
Investigators are examining the chase itself. They want to know whether the officers followed department rules when they pursued the suspect on foot. San Francisco adopted a foot pursuit policy in 2023 that calls such chases dangerous and unpredictable. Under that policy, officers may chase a suspect only when they reasonably believe the person committed an offense serious enough to justify an arrest.
The department has not released the names of the suspect or the two officers. According to one account, the pair included a recruit and a field training officer. Officers were already near the store on a separate report of a vehicle fire when a Trader Joe’s employee flagged them down. Police have not said whether the fire and the theft were connected.
A neighborhood and a city respond
The suspect was a former Trader Joe’s employee, the company confirmed. A store representative called it a tragic accident and noted the location has served the neighborhood for nearly 14 years. The company expressed compassion for everyone involved.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said he spoke with both injured officers and wished them a fast recovery. He thanked the first responders who rushed to help and called any loss of life a tragedy. Police are still piecing together the sequence of events and have asked anyone with information to contact the department.
SOURCE: The Independent
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