Suspect Tries To Run Over Locust Grove Officer, Police Say

Police are searching for a man an officer shot at during chase in Mayes County. Police don't have a description of the suspect; they just know he was driving a Dodge minivan.

Authorities believe he ran off into the woods.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has been called in to assist with the officer-involved shooting.

It all started in Locust Grove, where Police Chief Bryan Hurry says a driver was going 11 mph over the speed limit. Officers tried to pull him over near 224 East Main Street, and a woman passenger jumped out of the vehicle, according to OSBI.

The driver went into someone's yard. An officer said he thought the man was going to get out of the minivan, so he got out too.  That's when the man tried running over the officer, and Hurry says the officer fired several shots at the suspect. 

The OSBI said they don't believe the suspect was shot though the vehicle was hit multiple times.

The man drove off and led police on a chase for about thirty minutes The minivan went north out of Locust Grove on Highway 82 before crashing into a tree. The suspect ran into the woods near Chimney Rock Bridge. 

Police hoped to spot him from the air. 

"We're gonna see if we can locate him by helicopter instead of sending anyone into the woods, put them in any kind of danger," said Chief Bryan Hurry.

No officers or state troopers were injured during the Sunday morning chase. Police say it's possible the man is armed. The female passenger also got away, according to OSBI.

"OSBI special agents will continue to gather evidence and information," a news release states.

"A complete report of the facts regarding the officer firing his weapon will be presented to the district attorney. The district attorney will determine if the shooting was justified."