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Bartow Officer Shoots At Suspected Motorcycle Thief

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TBO.com

Published: October 11, 2008

BARTOW - A Bartow police officer investigating a stolen vehicle complaint early this morning shot at a suspect after the man slammed the vehicle in reverse, aiming at the lawman. The bullet, or shattered glass, cut the top of the suspect's head. He was not seriously injured.

James Edward Moore, 28, was charged with grand theft, fleeing to elude and two counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.

It was the first time a Bartow police officer fired his gun at a suspect in 17 years, officers said.

Police said that they got a call of an auto theft in progress shortly before 1 a.m. today in the 2400 block of State Road 60. Officers were looking for a dark colored pickup with a stolen motorcycle in the bed.

They spotted the truck and began to follow it and attempted to pull it over, police said, but the driver did not stop. At one point, Moore put the truck into reverse and tried to hit the patrol car. The pursuit wound up in an orange grove and a passenger in the pickup bailed out and bolted into the darkness.

As the unnamed officer approached the vehicle, Moore again put the truck in reverse and hit the accelerator, police said. That's when the officer fired one shot through the rear window of the truck. Moore suffered a cut to the top of his head. Police weren't sure if the cut was the result of being grazed by the bullet or from the shattering glass, officers said.

He was treated at the scene by paramedics and taken into custody. The identity of the passenger, who remained at large this morning, has not been released.

The officer who shot into the truck was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The state attorney's office was notified and will conduct a separate investigation.

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