TEXAS POLICE SEARCH FOR DRIVER AFTER POLICE-INVOLVED HIT-AND-RUN

Officers said they are on the hunt for three men who tried to run over a police officer Sunday September 2. They said the incident happened at a Valero gas station in the 3000 block of Fredericksburg Road.

Police said the men were trying to steal beer from the convenience store when they were caught in the act. An officer who happened to be driving by saw them, stopped and tried to arrest them -- but that's when the men ran him down.

"We're just very fortunate we're not burying a police officer who was seriously injured or killed," said Sgt. Gabe Trevino, of the San Antonio Police Department. Noel Pineda, of the San Antonio police, said he saw two men running from the gas station with beer in hand, the store clerk chasing after them, but that was when things became dangerous.

"At gunpoint, he ordered them out of the vehicle, he had his weapon drawn pointed it at them. At that point he said the suspect started the vehicle, put it into drive -- actually striking him on the side of his body slightly," said Trevino.

Pineda landed on the hood, but the three men inside the car did not stop.

"As the driver exited the parking lot, the officer started to fall off the car. As he fell off the car, he shot at the driver," said Lt. Mike King, of the San Antonio Police Department. Investigators said Pineda was dragged 20 to 30 feet while firing at least four shots.

"He feels he at least struck the vehicle but just doesn't know if anybody got hit inside the car," said Trevino. He added that so far, there are no reports of anyone injured by the shooting and Pineda was treated and released.

Police asked the public for help finding the Ford Taurus that got away.

"If they see a car that suddenly has bullet holes in it, that looks very suspicious, that happens to be a Taurus, please call us, give us that info, let us respond to the scene," said Trevino.