Search for two shoplifters after police-involved shooting in Cranston – NECN

An investigation is underway in Cranston, Rhode Island, after a police officer shot a suspect who allegedly fled from police during a traffic stop following a shoplifting incident on Sunday.

According to Cranston police, the shoplifting was reported by a store employee at the Garden City Shopping Center at approximately 5:16 p.m. At that time, all patrol officers were given the suspect’s license plate and a vehicle description.

About five minutes later, an officer saw the vehicle stop at a red light on Reservoir Avenue, just south of the Route 10 on-ramp in Providence.

The officer went to the vehicle, opened the driver’s door and ordered the two occupants to get out, police said. However, the male driver allegedly resisted the officer’s orders, while the female passenger ordered the driver to flee.

According to police, there was contact between the vehicle and the officer, who fired a single shot from his weapon.

The driver fled onto Route 10 north and was last seen near Niantic Avenue, police said. The suspects are still at large and the vehicle has not been found.

The officer was taken to Kent County Hospital where he was treated for his injuries and later released.

According to protocol, the incident is being investigated by a multi-agency investigative team, including the Cranston Police Department, Providence Police Department, Rhode Island State Police and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office.