CLEVELAND — Two University Circle police officers were injured while chasing several suspects on foot Monday afternoon.
Authorities say the incident began at the Centric apartments on Circle Drive in Cleveland, when they received a call at 3:41 p.m. for four males trying to break into a Kia Forte inside the parking garage. The caller told police they saw those involved running away after the vehicle's alarm went off.
"I think there's somebody stealing a car in Centric apartment garage," the 911 caller told dispatch.
Officers found the damaged car and were able to follow those believed to be involved. According to a release, two University Circle police officers pursued a juvenile suspect as he ran along the railroad track by the RTA station in Little Italy.
When they jumped the fence, police say one officer injured his hand and another broke his knee. They were able to apprehend the juvenile, then were later treated at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center.
"When they got off the fence, both of them sustained injuries," University Circle Police Chief Tom Wetzel said. "One got a deep puncture, and his hand, he was really bleeding profusely. And then the other broke his knee coming down."
Four people were arrested — three juveniles and one adult. One of the juveniles involved suffered injuries to his hand, believed to be in part from the attempted theft of the Kia. Police add that one of the juveniles was carrying a replica firearm with "a functioning extended magazine."
"Thank goodness they didn't try to display that in any way, because you see how that could turn out really bad," Wetzel said. "When you look at this replica gun, it's not hard to be confused that it's a real gun."
The Forte had a broken passenger side window and a peeled steering column. University Circle police say the owner of the vehicle was notified.
Wetzel told 3News he's thankful the situation didn't end up worse and commended his officers for pushing through their injuries. He shared a message for teens trying to steal cars:
"What is the risk to return? What is the real value in getting these cars? Is it really worth taking the chances that you're taking? And even worse, you're going to have to live with the consequence that if you are speeding away in that car and do kill someone, you're going to own that for the rest of your life. And you're only 14 or 15. That's a lot of life left."
Criminal charges are currently pending.