Police Officer Struck by Vehicle While Attempting to Take Suspect into Custody

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EL CENTRO, Calif. – An El Centro Police Officer and suspect were struck by a vehicle during an attempt to take the suspect in custody on Tuesday night.

At around 10:11 p.m., Officer Daniel Crankshaw attempted to stop a Hispanic man who was riding a bicycle in the area of 1000 N. Imperial Avenue. The officer recognized the suspect in the area of Imperial and Villa with two other males on bikes before the attempt to stop. He followed the suspect for a short distance in the area prior to attempting to stop him. Officer Crankshaw ordered the suspect to stop but he refused and kept riding. The officer pursued him and was able to catch him in the #2 southbound lane of Imperial Avenue. “The officer grabbed the suspect who continued to disobey directions and the two of them fell to the pavement,” El Centro Police officials said. “As the officer wrestled with the combative suspect on the ground, they were both struck by a vehicle traveling southbound on Imperial Avenue.”

The officer was able to get himself into the center median after being struck by the vehicle, while the suspect freed himself. He scaled and jumped a fence in the area, then fled the area with the help of the other two men who he was seen with. Surveillance footage captured one of the subjects giving their bicycle to the suspect who rode away westbound on Scott Avenue. Other officers arrived and provided aid to the officer until emergency medical personnel could arrive. Officer Crankshaw was airlifted to Desert Regional Medical Center and has since been treated and released with minor injuries. The El Centro Police Department Criminal Investigations Division is currently following up on information and leads regarding the identity of the suspect in this case. Anyone with information should contact the El Centro Police Department at (760) 352-2113.