By Police1 Staff
MIAMI SPRINGS, Fla. — An unlicensed juvenile grabbed a cop’s arm and dragged him as he drove away in a stolen Mazda after a traffic stop, police said.
Miami Springs Police Officer Jeff Collins stopped a vehicle Dec. 8 and asked the teen behind the wheel to step out of his car, according to The Miami Herald. Pat Cutino, 15, swerved into traffic to attempt to shake off Collins, who asked the driver to let go and held on tight, breaking free when the car slowed enough — near a bridge that lifted to let a ship pass — for him to roll to safety.
Miami-Dade County and Hialeah officers came in to assist after the landing. Collins, who suffered serious cuts and bruises, was transported by ambulance to Jackson Memorial Hospital.
After a search, police found Cutino hiding in a shipping container in an industrial neighborhood and charged the juvenile with attempted murder, auto theft, fleeing and eluding and reckless driving. Sources said he could be tried as an adult.
Miami resident Dany Quintana reported his Mazda stolen about a week prior and is surprised at where it ended up, he said.
“I was shocked to learn that a police officer was injured by someone driving my car,” Quintana said.
Collins was released from the hospital a few days later, according to reports. Two weeks ago he offered thanks to the departments that assisted in his rescue and wished friends, family, and supporters a Merry Christmas.
It is unclear if Cutino has a criminal history.