TROY, Mich. (WXYZ) — A Troy police officer was dragged by a car as suspects attempted to flee from a J.C. Penney on 14 Mile Road.
Two women are accused of retail fraud, which is why officers were initially called to the store.
The incident happened Dec. 21 at 5:49 p.m. When officers arrived , they approached the two suspects who began to run through the parking lot and into a black 2008 Saturn Vue.
One officer attempted to block the suspects in using his patrol vehicle, which he parked behind the Saturn. He had his emergency lights activated as well. The officer exited his vehicle and approached the passenger side of the vehicle and attempted to engage the suspect in the passenger's seat.
A second officer approached the driver's side door to engage the driver, that's when the suspect put the car in drive and accelerated forward, according to police.
The second officer that was on the passenger side ended up getting pinned between that car and another the suspects hit,” says Troy Police Sgt. Meghan Lehman. “They then hit another car, striking the officer again, and finally hit a third car with led their car to stop.”
The driver's door was ripped from the officer's hand. The officer standing on the passenger's side became partially trapped inside of the vehicle and was dragged.
The driver then hit another parked vehicle, which caused the open door to slam on the officer who was being dragged.
The officer who was initially on the driver's side began to pursue the suspect's vehicle until the suspect crashed head-on into a third vehicle. Even after the crash, the suspect continued to step on the vehicle's gas in an attempt to get away. That's when the officer pulled his gun and ordered her to turn the vehicle off, ending the pursuit.
Markayla Pruitt, 23, was the driver, and Zetorria Ellis, 21, was the passenger. Both Detroit residents were arrested and charged with first-degree retail fraud, assault, resisting and obstructing a police officer causing injury and assault with a dangerous weapon.
“We are all fortunate that this wasn’t worse,” says Lehman. “It was a busy time at the mall. Lots of people around. They could have hit an innocent bystander.”
Pruitt's bond is set at $300,200 and Ellis' is $225,000.
The officer who was dragged sustained injuries and was treated at a local hospital.
