Second suspect on the run after lorry chase turned car-jacking leaves policeman seriously injured
A man has been arrested but a second suspect remains at large after a police pursuit involving a stolen lorry, a foot chase and a car-jacking left an officer seriously injured.
The 30-year-old suspect was detained this morning - around 36 hours after the dramatic rush-hour chase unfolded on the A5.
The policeman, who was hit by a car while avoiding a roadside attack from one of the suspects, has received surgery for a leg injury and is in a stable condition in hospital. It is not yet known if his injuries will be life-changing.
Meanwhile Staffordshire Police have revealed they are hunting a second suspect who is believed to have escaped across fields at the side of the road near Lichfield.
The incident began at around 6.15pm on Tuesday when the policeman tried to stop a lorry he spotted driving suspiciously and pursued it in his car between Wall Island and Weeford Island.
When the HGV stopped and the driver ran off, the officer carried on the chase on foot until he was attacked by the suspect who was holding a fallen tree branch.
This caused the policeman to step backwards towards the road and it was then he was hit by a passing car.
The driver of the skip lorry, which was stolen and using cloned number plates, then pulled a motorist who was stuck in traffic out of their silver Ford Fiesta and drove off in the car.
The Fiesta was later found abandoned near a social club in Abbey Drive, Pelsall.
Police soon launched a manhunt to find the lorry driver turned car-jacker and arrested a man in Leicester early this morning.
He remains in custody, while detectives continue to search for a second suspect who is thought to have fled from the passenger side of the skip lorry before running away through nearby fields.
The second suspect is described as white and as having a round face with small eyes and facial hair.
The injured officer, a 39-year-old who is based at Tamworth, remains in Birmingham Heartlands Hospital where he will need to undergo further surgery. He and is family continue to receive support.
The skip lorry and Ford Fiesta have undergone thorough forensic examinations, while detectives continue to speak to witnesses and examine CCTV.
Anyone with information about the incident should call Staffordshire Police on 101 quoting 583 of November 29, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
