A Syracuse Police Detective was injured while investigating a string of larcenies. The chief says the officer was hit by a pickup truck driven by someone believed to be involved in the crimes. As our Iris St. Meran explains, the driver got away, but the officer left his mark.

  To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

ONONDAGA COUNTY, N.Y. -- Syracuse Police are investigating a string of larcenies where rims and tires have been taken from car dealerships. Their investigation brought detectives ten miles north to Drivers Village.

Syracuse Police Chief Frank Fowler said, "The detectives approached the vehicle, which was involved in these string of larcenies, and the driver of the vehicle, when observing the detective approaching, the driver of the vehicle accelerated toward the detective, striking him with the vehicle."

The detective was not identified. Chief Fowler says the detective, fearing for his life, fired two shots from his department issued gun at the vehicle, described as a dark colored pickup truck.

Fowler believes bullets hit the truck, but it sped away. The officer said to have minor injuries and the chief said he did the right thing.

"Someone driving a vehicle at you is a deadly physical force situation,” Fowler said. “The officer clearly knew that his life was in danger when this happened. So he was well within his rights to use deadly physical force."

Fowler says the detective did identify himself as a Syracuse Police Officer to the passengers of the vehicle.

Who they are exactly, police are actively investigating to find out.

We did reach out to Drivers Village for comment, but have not received a response.

Chief Fowler says the detective's injuries appear to be minor. Syracuse Police are asking the public to contact them with any information regarding this incident or larcenies in the city.

The number to call is (315) 442-5222.