EAST POINT, Ga. -- An East Point officer was dragged by a fleeing car thief after the officer tried to approach the vehicle.

It happened at Willingham Drive in East Point.

The officer was called to a home on a report of a suspicious vehicle.

The officer ran the car’s tag after spotting it and discovered it had been stolen out of College Park.

When the officer tried to approach the vehicle, the man tried to flee dragging the officer 20-30 ft.

The officers then began a pursuit into Hapeville.

The man finally flipped the car then fled on foot in Hapeville at Dogwood Drive and North Ave.

Moments later the man was taken into custody.

The injured officer’s name is being withheld, but he was taken to the hospital in stable condition.