VW Golf driver wanted after seriously injuring police officer at St Austell petrol station

A manhunt is underway for the driver of a VW Golf which ran off and seriously injured a police officer in the forecourt of a petrol station in St Austell last night, Thursday June 6. The occupants of the vehicle were suspected of involvement in a burglary at a property in the nearby village of Roche at around 11.25pm ​​during which keys were stolen.

The suspects were traveling in a red VW Golf and left the area in the vehicle, heading in the direction of St Austell. At around 11.40pm an officer, who was in the area to respond to a separate incident, saw the suspicious vehicle in the forecourt of Applegreen service station in Penwinnick Road.

The Devon and Cornwall Police officer approached the VW Golf on foot and was hit by the vehicle as he left the scene. He was seriously injured in the incident, which police are treating as a serious assault.

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Superintendent Jim Saunders said: “The officer was rushed to hospital by colleagues and suffered serious arm injuries. He has since been discharged and we all wish him well and hope for a speedy recovery.

“The suspects left the area in the car and a search has since been underway to locate them and the vehicle. The car bore the number plate EJ71 CVE and we are now appealing for the public’s help to locate it.

“I am also aware that there was a separate report of a robbery at a nearby Texaco gas station at 11pm last night where two suspects forced their way in and took cash. Work is ongoing to establish if there is any connection between these two incidents.

“I would urge people not to speculate about this, but if you have any information that could help our enquiries, then please contact us and report.”

Anyone with information and anyone who may have seen the car since the incident is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log 936 of Thursday 6 June 2024.