An armed robber who violently ejected a police officer from her patrol car after raiding a convenience store has been jailed.
Smith was captured on security cameras on July 6, wearing a balaclava as he robbed a gas station convenience store and then assaulted a police officer as he tried to make his getaway.
Staff at the Tesco Express store were confronted at around 12:30 a.m., by two armed, balaclava-clad men who proceeded to rummage through the shop, stealing cash, cigarettes, and alcohol. The robbers forced one of the employees to fill a bin with goods. The other worker managed to run away and call the police.
“An assessment was being carried out when a police car on routine patrol happened to pull onto the Tesco Express garage forecourt and discovered the crime in progress,” Sussex police said. “The officers quickly called for assistance from other units, while trying to get other members of the public, who were turning up at petrol station, to stay away.”
Owens spotted the patrol car during his raid and sprinted towards it, security footage showed, clutching a baseball bat that police said he used to threaten the officers.
He then opened the door of the vehicle, dragged police constable Ellie Young out of the passenger-side seat and hurled her to the ground.
Footage shows Smith climbing into the patrol car, as the injured officer leaps up and tries to restrain him.
Despite suffering injuries to her arms, legs, neck, and shoulder, officer Young along with fellow policewoman Vicky Canales and a member of the public tackled Smith.
“Within seconds back-up arrived and Smith was Tasered and arrested,” the police said.
“Watching the CCTV of Owen Smith attacking our officers is absolutely harrowing,” Detective Chief Inspector Justina Beeken said, “not least due to the ferocity of the attack, and I commend the officers’ bravery and commitment that evening in arresting him.”
“I also commend those members of the public and officers who ran to their colleagues’ assistance, trying to prevent Smith from getting away from the scene, without a moment’s thought for their own safety,” Beeken added. “No officer should be attacked while doing their job and I am thankful that no officers were more seriously hurt.”
“Smith’s behaviour has also had an impact on those working in the Tesco Express that evening who were also threatened while going about their job,” she said.
The second suspect is still being sought by police.
