Claremont police officer shoots, wounds driver in stolen car

A Claremont police officer shot and wounded a man driving a stolen car early Monday after authorities said the suspect drove in reverse toward the officer.

The officer was on patrol about 3 a.m. when a stolen vehicle from Montclair was spotted in the 500 block of West San Jose Avenue. When the officer tried to stop the vehicle, the driver sped away.

Shortly afteward, the officer found the vehicle in a dead-end alley and, believing it had been abandoned, approached on foot, police said.

Los Angles County sheriff’s detectives said the suspect then drove the vehicle in reverse toward the officer.

Fearing the suspect would run him over, the officer fired at him, striking him in the upper body. The wounded man, who authorities said was 25 years old, was airlifted to County USC Medical Center, where he was listed in critical but stable condition.