Monroeville detective struck by car while attempting to stop drug exchange in mall parking lot

MONROEVILLE, Pa. — Police said a detective who was trying to arrest two people involved in a drug exchange in the parking lot of the Monroeville Mall was hit by one of the drivers Friday.

The detective, not identified for his safety, said he observed the drug exchange between two vehicles near the Burlington Coat Factory. The detective said he tried to detain the two people involved when a white woman fled in a white Pontiac Sunbird toward James Street.

Investigators said a black man in the other car was initially ordered to the ground, but he jumped back into his vehicle and attempted to flee. Police said the detective was then spun to the ground as he tried to stop the man from driving away. Investigators said the detective attempted to shock the man with his Taser before he fled toward a nearby Best Buy store in his car.

"We've had continuous problems with hand-to-hand narcotics sales in vehicles throughout the corridor," said Monroeville Police Chief Steven Pascarella.

According to police, the male driver fled in a gold Chevrolet Malibu with license plate number HFZ-9548.

Witnesses told police that the man threw a large amount of heroin and a gun out of the window as he fled. The items were recovered by police.

The officer was not seriously hurt, police said. So far, no arrests have been made.

WPXI