Chatham-Kent police are on the lookout for a man who drove off from a traffic stop, dragging a police officer with him for a short distance.
Police say about 10 p.m. Aug. 3, they received a call about an erratic driver on Richmond Street. An officer tracked down the gold Intrepid on Lacroix Street near Grand Avenue and pulled the vehicle over.
According to police, the cop recognized the driver as a man wanted on an outstanding warrant, and also as someone whose driver’s licence is under suspension.
When the officer told the man he was under arrest and to turn off the engine. The man refused, police say, and the officer reached in to grab the keys. But the driver instead put the car in gear and started driving away.
Police say the officer got dragged about 10 feet and wasn’t injured. He got back in his cruiser and took up the chase, which reached speeds in excess of 100 km/h on Sandys Street.
The suspect pulled into a parking lot and fled on foot. Cops flooded the area, but the man got away.
Police have issued a warrant for the 46-year-old man’s arrest. They also ask anyone who may have witnessed the incident Aug. 3 to contact Const. Fraser Curtis at fraserc@chatham-kent.ca or 519-436-6600, ext. 87280.
