Rifle Shots Fired At Park Police Officer In Moraga

MORAGA, Calif. (AP) -- Authorities say a park district police officer had to be rescued with the help of an armored car after coming under fire in a rugged area of park lands near Moraga.

The East Bay Regional Park District officer reported that he was being shot at with automatic rifles around 7 p.m. Monday. The officer returned fire at the unknown suspects although police say it's not clear whether he hit anyone.

Authorities from Moraga, Lafayette and the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office were called to the scene. Park district police Capt. Mark Ruppenthal says the officer was rescued uninjured with the help of an armored car.

He says the shooters may have been protecting a marijuana farm.

A search for suspects was called off as darkness fell. Authorities are expected to resume the search on Tuesday.

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