Sacramento Police Officers Carjacked During Traffic Stop

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — The tables were turned on Sacramento Police officers as they became carjacking victims out on patrol on Tuesday.

The suspect drove several blocks before he was arrested.

It started as a traffic stop at Fell and Harris streets in Sacramento's Del Paso Heights neighborhood. As officers were checking a suspicious car, someone else was stealing their unmarked vehicle.

"One officer reached through the driver's side window to extract the guy from the vehicle and he put the car in reverse," said spokeswoman Traci Trapani.

Police radio captured the sound of squealing tires leaving as the officers called for emergency backup, leaving the dispatcher in disbelief. The officer was dragged for a short distance, leaving him with minor injuries.

A helicopter, three K-9 units and other officers raced to the scene while dispatchers tracked the car by GPS.

"In this case it really helped us out because we were able to track down the patrol car that was stolen by the suspect," Trapani said.

Police say Julio Ortega was the man behind the wheel. He was caught six blocks away just three minutes later.

The department says their policy is to leave cars unlocked and running so officers can quickly get back inside in case of an emergency.

"If you turn that squad car off you're not going to have the same functions as it would if it were running," she said.

Ortega is charged with carjacking, resisting arrest and a probation violation.