Raymond DawesMESA, AZ (CBS5) -
A man is in police custody after he dragged an officer from his vehicle during a chase early Thursday morning in Mesa.
Just after midnight, a Mesa Police Department patrol lieutenant saw a Chevy Blazer that had been parked at a gas pump at the Circle K at Signal Butte and Southern Avenue for nearly an hour, according to the store clerk.
The officer found a man, later identified as Raymond Dawes, either sleeping or passed out inside with the driver's seat fully reclined. The lieutenant also noticed empty beer containers inside.
According to the police report, the officer woke Dawes up and asked to see his ID. While Dawes was trying to locate his ID, he started the vehicle. As the officer reached into the open window to try to stop him, Dawes sped off, causing the lieutenant's arm to be trapped inside the blazer.
After being dragged a short distance the lieutenant was able to free himself.
A chase pursued before the lieutenant was able to stop the vehicle. As backup units were trying to keep Dawes from fleeing, Dawes accelerated and rammed one of the officer's patrol car. The collision caused significant damage to both vehicles.
Dawes was then taken into custody and was charged with several counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.
The lieutenant was taken to a Valley hospital where he was treated for a shoulder injury. No other officers were hurt.
Copyright 2012 CBS 5 (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
