3 cops injured in chase after suspected car thief drives through roadblock

A suspected car thief drove through a temporary roadblock in Jerusalem on Thursday, sparking a chase by police that resulted in injuries to three officers.

Police said in a statement that officers’ suspicion was aroused when the vehicle with a trailer carrying an engineering tool approached the Arazim tunnel in the early hours of the morning.

Believing it to be stolen, officers moved to prevent the vehicle from continuing, at which point the driver began to “drive wildly” and went through the roadblock.

During the attempt to stop the vehicle, the police car was involved in a crash and three officers were injured. No details were given on whether another vehicle was involved.

The three officers were lightly and moderately injured and were taken to a hospital for treatment.

The suspected car thief was involved in a separate accident, which caused the trailer to overturn, police said.

The suspect fled on foot. Police said they later arrested the suspect and a second driver, an 18-year-old from Abu Tor, who was suspected of involvement in the incident.