A Cobb County police officer was struck by a vehicle while attempting to stop traffic during an alleged motorcycle theft, according to a report from Officer Sarah O’Hara of the Cobb County Police Department.

The incident

The incident began on Monday at about 5 p.m. Cobb County Police Department Precinct 3 officers responded to a call from an Extended Stay Deluxe motel on Interstate North Parkway. The caller, a friend of the motorcycle’s owner, said that a white truck with a trailer drove from the parking lot with his friend’s vehicle on the trailer.

Police contacted the owner, who was able to track the location of the motorcycle to a Dairy Queen at 380 Cobb Parkway in Marietta.  A responding officer saw the truck leaving the parking lot, and police conducted a traffic stop.  All three suspects in the truck fled on foot.

Cobb officer injured

One of the officers, C.L. McTier, was stopping traffic as he approached the truck. Witnesses said Officer McTier had his hand and drivers complied with the one exception. That vehicle struck Officer McTier, who was transported to WellStar Kennestone Hospital where he was treated and later released. He has bruising and soreness but is expected to make a full recovery.

Two of the suspects were apprehended on the scene.

Arrests and charges

Gary Wayne Haney, 44, is being charged with theft by taking, obstruction of law enforcement, false name and date of birth, a pedestrian crossing violation, suspended license, possession of burglary tools, marijuana and heroin possession, and trafficking methamphetamine.

Christian Lee Scott is being charged with theft by taking, obstruction of law enforcement, possession of burglary tools, marijuana and heroin possession, and trafficking methamphetamine.

The report from Officer O’Hara said,

“The Cobb County Police Department would like to thank the Marietta Police Department and the Georgia State Patrol for their assistance during this incident. The dedicated men and women of these departments along with Cobb County Police Department officers kept an otherwise chaotic scene under control and led to the capture of two of the suspects.”