A Cobb County police officer was left with leg injuries after a car hit him Monday as he helped to chase down alleged motorcycle thieves.
Police stopped three people in a pickup truck outside a Dairy Queen on Cobb Parkway about 5 p.m. They were towing a 2018 Yamaha motorcycle just reported stolen from a nearby hotel.
The officers had tracked the motorcycle using GPS, according to Cobb police.
A witness, who asked not to be identified, told Channel 2 Action News she heard officers tell the truck’s occupants to put their hands up.
"The driver bailed out and ran eastward, then the other two ran westward,” the woman said. “One hid behind a trash can, so I felt like it was my duty to tell them there was a man behind that trash can.”
Officer C.L. McTier was attempting to stop traffic on Cobb Parkway when he was hit, Cobb police spokeswoman Officer Sarah O’Hara said.
“Witnesses stated that Officer McTier had his hand up and most drivers were complying with the exception of one,” O’Hara said in a statement. “That vehicle continued and struck Officer McTier.”
With the help of Marietta police and the Georgia State Patrol, two of the alleged thieves were arrested a short time later, she said. One is still on the run.
Gary Wayne Haney, 44, is being held in the county jail on a host of charges, including theft by taking, obstruction, giving a false name and date of birth, and driving on a suspended license. Haney was also found in possession of marijuana, heroin and a enough methamphetamine to warrant a drug trafficking charge, according to police.
Christian Lee Scott, 22, faces similar charges, including drug possession.
McTier was treated at WellStar Kennestone Hospital and later released.
“Officer McTier has significant bruising and soreness but is expected to make a full recovery,” O’Hara said.
No charges have been filed against the driver who hit the officer.
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