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Fairview Heights police officer injured after being dragged by car in parking lot of shopping mall

The officer was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. A bystander was also hurt.

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. — An investigation is underway after a Fairview Heights police officer was injured Thursday morning.

According to police, a car was parked on the sidewalk of St. Clair Square mall. An officer noticed the car, ran the plates and discovered it was stolen out of St. Genevieve County.

The suspect came out of the mall and tried to get in the car, the Fairview Heights Police Department said in a press release.

The officer tried to stop him several times, but the suspect got into the car and started to drive away, dragging the officer who was partially inside.

The suspect ended up crashing into the doors of JC Penney. The officer was injured, along with a bystander who was struck by the car. The suspect ran inside the mall and was later taken into custody.

The officer was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The department said he is 30 years old and has been with the department for four years. 

The bystander had minor injuries and didn't need medical attention.

A handgun was found during a search of the car.

The suspect is described as a 20-year-old St. Louis man with an active auto theft warrant out of St. Louis County. His identity has not been released.

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