Thomson cop's car runs over suspect

A Thomson police officer ran over a suspected shoplifter with his patrol car Thursday.

Thomson Patrolman Rich-ard Redd was pursuing Mich-ael Hamilton, who was suspected of shoplifting from a store in the Knox Shopping Center on Main Street, according to Thomson Police Chief John Hathaway.

Hathaway said Hamilton was fleeing on foot and Redd chased him with his car. Hamilton ran three blocks before ducking into the Springfield Baptist Church parking lot on Martin Luther King Jr. Street.

Redd was attempting to corner Hamilton between a fence and the church building using his cruiser when Hamilton tried to leap over the hood of the car. Redd hit the brakes, but not before Hamilton fell in front of the car and was run over, Hathaway said.

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Hamilton was taken to the Medical College of Georgia Hospital where he is listed in good condition, according to an MCG spokeswoman.

Hathaway described Hamilton as a multiple repeat offender who has attempted to run from police in the past.