Motorcycle Police Hurt in U-Turn to Pursue Possible Armed Robber

Two Fullerton motorcycle patrol officers were injured when they collided Sunday night as they turned to pursue a possible armed robber, police said Monday.

Larry Bourland, a seven-year-veteran of the force, suffered a broken left leg and separated left shoulder and was undergoing surgery Monday at St. Jude Hospital in Fullerton. Brian Deering, a three-year veteran, was treated for a possible broken wrist and scrapes, police said.

The accident occurred shortly before 9:30 p.m. Sunday in the 2300 block of East Chapman Avenue, police said.

Sgt. Jeff Roop said the two officers were traveling in the same direction and had just made a U-turn to respond to an armed robbery call at a pizza parlor when they saw two men on motorcycles speeding down State College Boulevard. One of the men, he said, fit the description of the robber.

Bourland signaled to Deering that the speeding motorcyclists might be involved and that they should stop them, Roop said. As the two officers were negotiating another U-turn to go after the men, they collided.

The robbery had occurred at Domino’s Pizza, 153 N. Raymond Ave., Roop said. A white male, age 30 to 35 years, about six feet tall, 210 pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes displayed a semiautomatic pistol and demanded money, he said.

The bandit is still at large, police said.