Suspect who struck LAPD officer with car caught in Granada Hills

GRANADA HILLS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A suspect has been detained after an undercover LAPD narcotics officer was struck by a vehicle in Granada Hills Thursday.

Authorities responded to an "officer down" call in the 10900 block of Haskell Avenue around noon. According to Lt. Andy Neiman, the officer and a partner from the Devonshire Narcotics Enforcement Detail were conducting an investigation on a suspect in a maroon Tahoe who had crashed into the front fence of a home near Tulsa Street and Haskell Avenue.

During the investigation of the crash, the suspect suddenly fled from the area with one of the officers trapped on the running board of the car. The suspect drove northbound down Haskell Avenue, police said.

The suspect then drove onto a nearby sidewalk and crashed into a wrought iron fence where the officer was critically injured. The suspect then fled the scene.

The officer was found conscious and breathing and was transported to a local hospital in serious but stable condition, police said.

A perimeter was set up as police searched for the suspect, who was described as a black man, about 5 feet 6 inches tall and 180 to 200 pounds. The LAPD Valley Bureau was placed on modified tactical alert.

LAUSD said John F. Kennedy High School, Porter Middle School, Vintage Magnet Elementary School, Tulsa Elementary School, Danube Elementary School and Haskell Elementary School were temporarily on lockdown due to the search.

According to authorities, a person was detained around 3:15 p.m.

"We have at this time detained one individual that we believe matches that description. That person is being detained as a person of interest until the investigators can confirm that he is in fact the person responsible for this crime against our officer," Neiman said at a press conference.

The investigation is ongoing.