Law enforcement is asking the public for help in identifying a suspect who dragged an officer in Washington early Sunday morning. According to the Washington Police Department at approximately 12:25 a.m. a Washington Police Officer stopped a black four-door Hyundai car with no plates near the intersection of North 15th Avenue and East 2nd Street. The officer advised that the vehicle had been reported stolen in July to the Des Moines Police Department.

The vehicle fled the scene when the officer attempted to take the driver into custody. The vehicle dragged the officer for several blocks. According to the police department, the officer received minor injuries.

The suspect fled the scene. Anyone with information on the identity of the driver is asked to contact Washington County Communications at 319-653-2107. The suspect is now believed to be in a tan 2007 Ford Escape with Iowa license plate JIN911. It was last seen in the West Liberty area approximately 8 a.m.

The stolen Hyundai was recovered in Washington.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Conservation, Washington County Communications, and the Iowa Department of Corrections Parole High Risk Unit assisted.

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*Update: A previous statement from law enforcement said West Branch and was list as such in an earlier version of this article. Sunday evening, the statement was corrected to West Liberty and has been changed in this article to reflect it. – 9 p.m. 8/2/20