An Edmonton Police Services (EPS) officer has been injured by a suspected impaired driver during a stolen vehicle investigation that took place on June 27 at approximately 1:30 p.m..
Police responded to a report of a stolen vehicle from a convenience store near 23 Avenue and 56 Street. Using a cell phone left inside the vehicle and support from patrol and EPS Air1, the vehicle was tracked to an alley near 106 Street and 106A Avenue.
Patrol officers and an EPS canine officer with a police service dog moved in to a arrest the suspect, during which the canine officer was hit by an unrelated vehicle.
The officer was treated on the scene and was then transported to hospital where with a serious, non-life-threatening injury which required a surgery. The officer has been released and is recovering.
The service dog was also hit but only suffered minor injuries. The dog is expected to make a full recovery and resume active duty in the coming weeks.
The Major Collision Investigation Section took over the investigation and determined that the 77-year-old driver who hit the officer was impaired.
Thomas Rodriguez has been criminally charged with impaired operation causing bodily harm and impaired operation with a blood alcohol concentration equal to or exceeding 80mg%.
“We’re incredibly grateful our officer will recover, and that the PSD was not seriously injured,” said Staff Sergeant Craig Mathewson of the Field Response Branch.
The suspects in the original stolen vehicle investigation were arrested at the scene by the patrol officers and are now facing charges as well.
