Owner Of Car Used In Cop Shooting Considered Pursuing Thief
AURORA, Colo. (CBS4) - The owner of a stolen car involved in an Aurora police officer's shooting on Friday said he left his car unattended for fewer than two minutes before it was swiped.
Manny Cabrera considered pursuing the thief but said he thought of his family. He then heard police sirens.
"The car was here," said Cabrera, who was finishing up work at nearby hair salon. "I stepped out of the car, walked in to set the alarm. Next thing I know my car is stolen."
Minutes later, police suspect that the car thief shot and seriously wounded the officer during a traffic stop at 17th Avenue and Fulton Street, just a couple blocks to the northwest.
The officer, 11-year veteran Ryan Burns, underwent surgery and is expected to be OK, police said. He is still hospitalized.
The suspect abandoned the car, a white 2002 Volkswagen Passat, a couple blocks away. Officers from three jurisdictions set up a wide perimeter Friday night and used K-9 units and a helicopter to search for the suspect but didn't find him.
Another officer involved in the traffic stop returned fire, but it's unclear whether the suspect was struck.
Cabrera, who manages Evelyn's Hair Salon at Colfax Avenue and Geneva Street, walked two customers to their cars at approximately 9 p.m. and then pulled his car up to the front door. He said it was a quiet night and didn't notice anyone nearby.
"I was in shock," he said. "I believe that they were trying to get away really fast and didn't stop at the stoplight."
The reward for information leading to the suspect's arrest has grown to $35,000.
