Police arrest driver who allegedly tried to hit officer

SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Miami-Dade Police have captured a driver who, they said, tried to run over one of their own and fled, Friday morning.

According to authorities, around 6 a.m., an officer conducted a routine traffic stop on a Ford F-150 pickup truck near Southwest 216th street and 112th Avenue, after he ran the tag and it came back as stolen. "When the officer was approaching the vehicle, that's when the subject utilized the vehicle in attempts to strike the officer," said Miami-Dade Police Detective Alvaro Zabaleta. "The officer discharged his firearm. The subject was able to flee. A short pursuit ensued and the subject was able to bailout."

Police caught up to the truck at Southwest 232nd Street and 187th Avenue, where the driver bailed out and made a run for it. Officers had to close off the area and ask residents to stay indoors. Zabaleta said, "Of course this individual-- because of his brazen acts to try to hit an officer with a vehicle-- he's already being violent and showing violence, as it is, so we consider him dangerous, and that's why we were urging the community-- anybody within the perimeter within the square mile of the perimeter-- to stay inside the residence. That way you can stay out of harm's way."

A perimeter was set up and dozens of officers, K-9 units and a helicopter all aided in the search. Just after noon, authorities captured the subject, later identified as 48-year-old Leon Fitzgerald Harrigan.

He was taken to the hospital. It remains unclear if he was hit by a bullet or if he was hurt as he bailed out of the truck.

Police said Harrigan already had outstanding warrants. He now faces a laundry list of charges, including fleeing police and grand theft auto.

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