A Vancouver police officer is recovering at home after being struck by a car and hit on the head with a rock during an unusually rough foot chase Wednesday.
The pursuit began shortly after 1 p.m. as the policeman was responding to a 911 call of an assault near the entrance to Stanley Park.
The officer arrived on the scene, spotted a suspect and started chasing him. After following the man onto Georgia Street, the policeman was thrown off his feet by a car heading towards the park.
“The officer managed to pick himself up off the ground and continued to chase,” Const. Brian Montague said in a statement.
The persistent policeman eventually caught up with the suspect, who allegedly fought his arrest by punching the officer and bashing him on the head with a rock.
The officer, whose name has not been released, eventually managed to nab his man when backup arrived to assist him.
“The tenacious officer was taken to hospital and treated for numerous abrasions and swelling to his arms, legs and face,” Montague said.
He’s now enjoying a well-deserved rest at home.
Surrey resident Carlos Armando Flores-Acosta, 34, was arrested and faces charges of assault, assaulting a peace officer, assault with a weapon, assault with intent to resist arrest and obstructing a peace officer.
Authorities are asking the driver who struck the policeman to come forward as a witness; Montague said she may have been confused about how to react to the incident. Her car is described as a blue or purple sedan.
