Auto Theft Suspect Shot by Deputy Undergoes Surgery
A car theft suspect who allegedly attacked a sheriff’s sergeant underwent surgery Wednesday after being shot by the officer, authorities said.
Donald Groce, 30, was shot about 8 p.m. Tuesday when the sergeant approached a car reported stolen in Claremont an hour earlier and ordered the driver to get out of the vehicle, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department said.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. July 3, 1998 For the Record
Los Angeles Times Friday July 3, 1998 Home Edition Metro Part B Page 3 Metro Desk 1 inches; 27 words Type of Material: Correction
Pomona shooting--A story in Thursday’s editions incorrectly identified the law enforcement agency involved in the shooting of a car theft suspect. The officer was a Pomona police sergeant.
When the sergeant ordered the suspect to lie face-down on the ground, the man initially complied, deputies said. But the sergeant said that at some point the suspect stood up and attacked him, striking him at least once with his fist.
The sergeant fired once, shooting the man in the abdomen, Deputy Angie Prewett said. The sergeant was not injured in the incident, which occurred in the 800 block of Hyde Avenue, she said. His name was not released.
The suspect was arrested on suspicion of grand theft and assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, Prewett said.
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