Santa Ana Police Officer Shoots, Wounds Car Theft Suspect

A Santa Ana police officer shot and injured a suspected car thief after a confrontation Monday, Santa Ana police said.

The unidentified officer fired one shot at the suspected thief, who is in serious condition at UCI Medical Center in Orange, said Santa Ana Police Lt. George Saadeh. The suspected thief was not identified.

The confrontation began about 6 p.m. when the officer went to investigate a stolen car report at North Laurel and 5th streets, Saadeh said. The owner of the car called police to report that he had spotted his Toyota Camry, which had been stolen earlier in the day.

The officer spotted the parked car with the suspected thief inside, Saadeh said. “A confrontation ensued,” Saadeh said, adding that he could not elaborate while the incident was under investigation late Monday.

After the suspected thief was shot, he accelerated the car and crashed into a parked vehicle. Police took him into custody and then to the hospital. Saadeh could not describe his injuries.