NSX
05-21-2011, 02:25 PM
UMMERVILLE -- A suspected shoplifter assaulted a Walmart employee, then a police officer, then stole a squad car and wrecked it today, police said.
PROVIDED by Summerville Police Department
Arthur Lee Thompson
About 1:20 p.m., officers responded to Walmart on North Main Street for a shoplifter that had assaulted an employee, police Capt. Jon Rogers said. A description of the suspect's vehicle was broadcast to other police units.
An officer spotted the vehicle and stopped it on Cedar Street near 9th Avenue, Rogers said. The suspect got out of his vehicle, assaulted the officer, then climbed into the officer's marked patrol vehicle and drove away at high speed.
While fleeing the scene, the suspect crashed the squad car on North Maple Street near Elks Lodge Lane, approximately three miles from the original traffic stop. The suspect was transported by EMS to Medical University Hospital for treatment.
Neither the police officer, nor the Walmart employee, suffered serious injuries, Rogers said.
The S.C. Highway Patrol is investigating the collision, while the Summerville Police Department will handle the criminal charges.
Rogers identified the suspect as Arthur Lee Thompson, 38, of Coaxum Road in Moncks Corner. Rogers said Thompson has an extensive criminal history
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PROVIDED by Summerville Police Department
Arthur Lee Thompson
About 1:20 p.m., officers responded to Walmart on North Main Street for a shoplifter that had assaulted an employee, police Capt. Jon Rogers said. A description of the suspect's vehicle was broadcast to other police units.
An officer spotted the vehicle and stopped it on Cedar Street near 9th Avenue, Rogers said. The suspect got out of his vehicle, assaulted the officer, then climbed into the officer's marked patrol vehicle and drove away at high speed.
While fleeing the scene, the suspect crashed the squad car on North Maple Street near Elks Lodge Lane, approximately three miles from the original traffic stop. The suspect was transported by EMS to Medical University Hospital for treatment.
Neither the police officer, nor the Walmart employee, suffered serious injuries, Rogers said.
The S.C. Highway Patrol is investigating the collision, while the Summerville Police Department will handle the criminal charges.
Rogers identified the suspect as Arthur Lee Thompson, 38, of Coaxum Road in Moncks Corner. Rogers said Thompson has an extensive criminal history
Click for video
http://bcove.me/deraqhyy