Teen Arrested For Trying To Run Over Tulsa Police Officer

A Tulsa police officer was nearly run over by a teen driver trying to make a getaway after stealing beer from a midtown QuikTrip.

The officer was in the store, located at 21st Street and Harvard Avenue, about 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, when a clerk said two men had just stolen some beer.

When the officer approached Abraham Esparza, 18, who was sitting in a pickup, Esparza tried to run him over, police said.

"Fortunately, [the officer] was able to keep his wits about him, keep moving and didn't allow the truck to actually go over him," TPD Cpl. Dan Miller said.

Police tracked Esparza to his parents' home in the 1300 block of North Nogales and arrested him.

Miller said Esparza told police he drove off because of an outstanding warrant.

"He's got a traffic warrant and decided that was more important to try and get away from a misdemeanor traffic warrant and getting a ticket for petty larceny, and now he's going to jail for assault and battery on a police officer," Miller said.

The officer wasn't seriously injured, he said.

Police booked Esparza into the Tulsa County jail on complaints of assault and battery on a police officer, larceny, possession of marijuana, resisting arrest, transporting an open container and possession of alcohol by a minor.