APD: Suspect targets officer with car

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Police said a suspected thief swiped a car and then tried to run an officer over with it on Friday.

He was finally caught after a chase through southeast Albuquerque.

The incident started out as a 'warm up' theft and then escalated into something more.

Police said Christopher Allen Lovato stole a car that was warming up near Louisiana and Bell SE.

Police began following Lovoato. When he noticed the cops, he started speeding to get away, according to police.

The Albuquerque Police Department's cruisers backed off and let the department's plane take over.

Eventually, Lovato was tracked down in a neighborhood.

"The offender then tried to back up and run over the officer. Fortunately the vehicle was positioned in such a way that the offender struck the vehicle rather than the officer," Sgt. J.J. Griego said.

After trying to hit the officer, police said Lovato took off running. He was caught a few blocks away and had to be shot with an electronic stun gun.

The officer Lovato tried to hit wasn't hurt. Lovato is in jail facing several charges.