A busy night in San Jose had police officers chasing several crime scenes late Friday, including one that sent an officer to the hospital with a gunshot wound that was described as a "graze" wound.
The officer spotted a vehicle that fit the description of the one involved in four robberies earlier Firday near Highway 280 and Highway 101 around 9 p.m. When he attempted to pull the car over, it sped away sparking a chase.
The chase ended at Lanai and Tully Road near Highway 101. That's where the suspects jumped out of their car and opened fire on the officer, according to police. San Jose Police spokesman Jason Dwyer said the officer's squad car was hit several times and he was also grazed by a bullet and/or flying glass. The officer continued to chase the suspect even after being shot at, according to Dwyer.
The officer was later taken to a hospital and is expected to recover. His name may be released later Saturday.
A second officer returned fire on the suspects, hitting one of them.
Police said one suspect fled the scene in the vehicle and the other suspect fled on foot. The injured officer and the second officer both continued their pursuit of the suspect vehicle. The vehicle crashed in the area of Cunningham Avenue and Tymn Way, near William C. Overfelt High School.
The suspect driving the vehicle fled on foot into a residential neighborhood, police said. Members of the San Jose Police Department's Special Operations Unit responded to the area, located the suspect and took him into custody.
The suspect had a gunshot wound which is not considered to be life threatening, police said. The investigation into the second suspect's whereabouts and any connection to Thursday's armed robberies is ongoing.
The Tully on ramp to Highway 101 was closed for a time. Dwyer said residents were being told to stay inside, and only evacuate if ordered by police.
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A Best Western hotel worker near 101 and Tully said she was checking a guest in when she heard four or five gun shots.
Dwyer said said at least four places were robbed Friday, including a pizza parlor, a gas station and the Jack in the Box at Curtner and Highway 87. He called the suspects brazen, adding only a very dangerous individual would fire at an officer.
Dwyer said it was the 4th officer involved shooting in 2012.
The injured officer has been on the force for 5 years. The officer who returned fire has been a police officer for a decade, according to police.
Bay City News contributed to this report.
