Officer dragged during heist

From staff reports

San Marcos May 14, 2008 11:11 am

— Police are hoping someone can help them locate three people in a black Ford pickup wanted in connection with a robbery.
The incident occurred at Tanger outlet Mall around 6:08 p.m. Friday, May 9. San Marcos Police Sergeant Fred Wisener said an off-duty officer was briefly dragged by the vehicle after trying to apprehend two shoplifting suspects.
Wisener said the officer was working at The Paper Factory when he saw what looked like a shoplifting in progress and followed the two women involved.
He repeatedly identified himself as a police officer but the women kept going, Wisener said.
The women got into the black Ford F-150 just as the officer caught up and the officer grabbed the purse of the woman who got into the truck’s front seat.
At that point the driver accelerated and the officer was dragged, causing sore ribs and “road rash,” Wisener said.
One of the women was described as Hispanic, about 5’ tall, thin, with shoulder length brown hair. The second was also Hispanic, about 5’3” and heavyset. The male driver, also Hispanic, had a close shaved head and was of medium build.
After being dragged, Wisener said the officer went back into the store to discover what the women had stolen — two bags of candy worth less than a dollar apiece.
“So 99 cents worth of candy turns into a felony robbery case,” he said.
Anyone with information can call police at 753-2108. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 353-TIPS from the San Marcos calling area or at (800) 324-TIPS toll-free from anywhere.