Oregon man accused of stealing tow truck shot by police officer

SALEM, Ore.  — Authorities say a Salem police sergeant shot and injured a man suspected of stealing a tow truck early Friday morning.

KGW-TV reports  when police tried to stop the man, investigators say he started the stolen tow truck and drove toward the officers. Salem police say Sgt. Tony Moore fired his weapon.

The man, who has been identified by police as 51-year old Ronald Gene Chilcote of Salem, drove off. He was arrested and taken to local hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound after the truck got stuck in a field.

After being released from the hospital, Ghilcote was booked into the Marion County Jail on charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and attempting to elude an officer.

Sgt. Moore was not injured. He will be on administrative leave during the investigation.