2 Bellevue police officers injured in attempted patrol-car theft

Two Bellevue police officers working traffic control at a construction site suffered minor injuries when a man tried to steal their patrol car.

The incident took place about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday near Northeast 10th Street and 116th Avenue Northeast, reported Greg Grannis, police public-information officer.

The suspect, a 22-year-old Enumclaw man, left Overlake Hospital Medical Center after being admitted for an undisclosed reason and walked past the officers. The man then turned back toward the officers as they stood near their vehicle, Grannis said, then suddenly opened the driver's door of the police car and got inside.

The suspect put the car in reverse and drove backward with the driver's door still open, moving south on 116th Avenue Northeast.

The open door knocked down Officer Tyler Cornmesser, and Officer Darin Karosich was pulled along by the vehicle.

Despite being hit, the officers were able to stop the patrol car and capture the suspect.

Cornmesser, 37, has been with the department nine years and suffered head, back and hand injuries. Karosich, 30, has been with the department eight years and suffered a twisted knee. Both were treated at Overlake and released.

The suspect was being held on two counts of assault, attempted motor-vehicle theft and resisting arrest.

The patrol car involved in the incident is an older model designated for traffic-control duties, Grannis said. It has no weapons, and the onboard computer and radio have been removed. Traffic-duty cars routinely are kept running at construction sites, and are attended, with emergency lights activated to encourage motorists to drive slowly in work zones.

Peyton Whitely: 206-464-2259 or pwhitely@seattletimes.com