A Watsonville Police officer was hurt on the job Monday morning during a foot pursuit of a woman suspected of shoplifting.
The incident began when WPD got a call regarding a woman that had stolen items from the Dollar Tree at 1010 Main St. around 9:50am. As police infiltrated the area officers were updated that the suspect, described as a female in a gray hoodie top and black pants, was walking past the Grocery Outlet toward downtown Watsonville.
Then an officer spotted her trying to flee officers around Rodriguez and Main streets, where she reportedly ditched the stolen items. As one officer gave foot pursuit, he appaently at the intersection of Freedom Boulevard at Main Street and suffered a serious injury to his leg.
As police called for emergency medical and firefighter response, other officers managed to take the 34-year-old suspect into custody.
Police then shut down Main Street in the area and several surrounding lanes in the heavily travelled intersection to allow for the rescue effort.
The incident is still under investigation. No names have been released.
