Stolen Car Used to Assault Officer on 49th Street

St. Petersburg police recovered the Mazda 6 used in the stolen car/officer-involved shooting at the Quick Stop at 1440 49th Street last Wednesday night.

Police believe that the driver of the Mazda, stolen from Palm Harbor on January 2, backed the car onto the hood of any undercover police car. The suspect, police wrote in a release, then pulled forward driving towards Officer Michael DeMark, who was on foot. The driver struck Officer DeMark’s leg; a nearby officer, Officer Rambaran, shot at the driver.

Police say the suspect then steered the car towards the parking lot exit and hit two other undercover police vehicles, one of which was occupied. The driver then turned onto 15th Avenue South and headed east.
Police found the stolen car, sans license plate, when a resident noticed it near 8414 5th Street North and called the police the next morning. The tag on the car Wednesday night belonged to a blue Chrysler, whose driver reported it stolen on January 3.

In the car, St. Petersburg detectives found no evidence – including blood – to suggest the gunfire injured the occupant.

The police have yet to identify a suspect.

A local hospital treated and released Officer Michael DeMark for his injury; he has returned to full duty.

Police have placed the officer who fired his weapon, Officer Neil Rambaran, on administrative leave pending further Internal Affairs review.