SUSPECT DRAGS FRANKLIN, VIRGINIA POLICE OFFICER BEHIND CAR

A Franklin police officer escaped serious injury after being dragged more than 80 feet by a car whose driver was trying to flee arrest. Police are now searching for Armondo Thomas Hicks, the man they believe was driving the car. Hicks, 30, faces charges of attempted capital murder, abduction and possession of a gun by a convicted felon. The incident occurred about 10:30 p.m. Saturday near the Express Deli Food Mart at the corner of Pretlow and Elm streets.

Officer C.A. Fellers and a second officer had noticed a man and a woman sitting in a car, acting suspiciously, Edwards said. When they approached the car, it appeared the occupants were attempting to hide drugs. Fellers reached into the car in an attempt to grab the suspected narcotics, but the driver hit the gas. Fellers become entangled in the driver’s seat belt, Edwards said. As the car began moving, it dragged him along for 86 feet until it hit a fence and the officer was able to free himself. Fellers was flown by the Nightingale helicopter ambulance to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where he was treated and released. The car that dragged him was found abandoned minutes after the incident a few blocks away by other officers.