HERCULES — A man trying to stop a man who had burglarized his truck and another vehicle was dragged and run over by the suspect as he fled in a Mercedes on Friday morning, police said.
The suspect escaped in the Mercedes, said Sgt. Dan Barazoto. The victim, who was dragged more than 30 feet, was treated at the scene for his injuries.
The violence unfolded about 8:35 a.m. Friday at the Willow Shopping Center, located in the 800 block of Willow Avenue.
Police said the suspect had burglarized two vehicles, including a pickup belonging to the injured man. The victim saw his truck being burglarized and ran after the suspect, who got into a grayish-blue Mercedes sedan parked behind the truck, to get his property back, police said.
In an attempt to stop the Mercedes, the man jumped in the driver side compartment and struggled with the suspect as he was driving away, police said.
As the suspect continuing driving with the man hanging out the driver’s side door, the Mercedes hit a third vehicle — a white Mercedes SUV — head-on, causing moderate damage to both vehicles but no injuries, police said.
The suspect then reversed his Mercedes sedan, put it in drive and drove toward the south entrance/exit area of the shopping center while the man was still halfway inside the vehicle, police said.
The victim finally fell out of the Mercedes and hit the pavement; the car then ran over his ankle but did not cause any life-threatening injuries, police said. The suspect fled the area before police arrived.
A picture of the suspect’s Mercedes was released by police, but no detailed description of the suspect was available. Anyone with information is asked to call Hercules police at 510-724-1111.