Car Theft Suspect Wounded In Claremont Officer-Involved Shooting

CLAREMONT (CBSLA.com) — A car theft suspect was wounded early Monday morning in an officer-involved shooting, police said.

While responding to a report of a stolen vehicle, an officer located a white Honda Accord around 3 a.m. in an alley near the 500 block of West San Jose Avenue in Claremont, officials said.

"As the officer drove closer to investigate, the vehicle fled through the alley at a high rate of speed," spokesperson Karlan Bennett said.

The officer later located the vehicle, which appeared to appeared to be vacant.

"As the officer walked up to the vehicle the driver suddenly drove the vehicle in reverse towards the officer and an officer involved shooting occurred," Bennett said.

The 25-year-old suspect was treated on scene and airlifted to County USC Medical Center. He was last listed in critical, but stable condition.

No officers were injured.

The shooting was under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the District Attorney.