LAPD officer ejected from patrol car after it was stolen, crashed by suspect in downtown LA

A Los Angeles Police Department officer was injured when she was ejected from inside of a cruiser that was stolen and crashed by a suspect near downtown LA early Sunday morning. 

It happened at around 3:30 a.m. near 12th Street and Figueroa Street, according to an LAPD detective. They say that the officer, who was assigned to a security detail, was approached by the suspect who jumped into her cruiser and took off with her still inside. 

At some point during the chaos, the officer was ejected from the vehicle, the detective said. She was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries and was said to be in stable condition at the latest. 

Investigators are still working to determine if she was actually inside of the patrol car or holding on after it was stolen. 

"We're gonna interview that officer and we're gonna look at surveillance video in the area to determine exactly where and what distance that happened," said LAPD Detective Bruce Borihanah. 

Instead of stopping, the driver continued on, crashing into two vans at Eighth Street and Figueroa Street, and then a pole on 7th Street before getting out and running from the area on foot. 

He was taken into custody a short time later. He has not yet been identified and police have not disclosed what charges he could be facing for the incident.

"His eyes was lit up, like he was on some drugs that I ain't never seen before," said Tray Lee, who witnessed the entire ordeal. 

Authorities said three people inside the van were treated at the scene before being taken tot he hospital. The extent of their injuries was not immediately disclosed. 

The area of 8th and Figueroa streets remained blocked off while authorities investigated the incident.