Arrests after police officer hit by car in St Austell

Two men have been arrested after a police officer was injured while investigating burglaries in St Austell.

The officer suffered a serious arm injury after being hit by a car on Penwinnick Road Thursday night, police said.

Devon and Cornwall Police said a 33-year-old man and a 48-year-old man were arrested in the St Austell area on Saturday on suspicion of theft and grievous bodily harm with intent.

Both men have been bailed until September while police continue their enquiries.

On Thursday, police were called to reports of a burglary at Applegreen service station.

A police officer saw a red VW Golf at 23:40 BST in the yard, which was linked to reports of keys being taken from a property in Roche.

The officer approached the car on foot but was struck by it as it drove away, police said.

A vehicle wanted by police was found in the St Austell area on Saturday following a public appeal.

A 33-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of burglary and grievous bodily harm with intent.

A 48-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of four counts of burglary and one count of grievous bodily harm with intent.

Sup. Jim Saunders said the force was also investigating a separate robbery incident at a nearby Texaco petrol station around 11pm on the same day.

He said two suspects forced their way into the gas station and took cash.

Detectives said they no longer believed the Texaco incident was connected to the robbery in which a police officer was hit by a car.

A spokesman for the force said: “Two men, aged 33 and 48, were previously arrested in connection with both incidents.

“The men have now been removed from inquiries related to the Texaco investigation.”

Officers have appealed for information on the whereabouts of a black VW Golf with registration number AV07 UFA, which is believed to be linked to the Texaco petrol station robbery.

The car was last seen in the St Austell area on Friday, they said.

Anyone with information about the break-ins should contact police, they added.