ECSO investigating hit-and-run incident involving patrol vehicle in Clarence

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A hit-and-run incident involving a patrol vehicle occurred early Tuesday morning in the Town of Clarence, the Erie County Sheriff's Office announced.

Officials said around 3:50 a.m., a deputy was patrolling Wehrle Drive and passed Connection Drive, where the deputy saw a black SUV with its doors open.

The deputy suspected multiple people on the scene were possibly attempting to break into vehicles, according to the sheriff's office. Officials said the deputy made a U-turn on Wehrle Drive and drove northbound on Connection Drive to investigate when the individuals then entered the SUV.

According to the sheriff's office, the SUV then drove southbound on Connection Drive, struck the patrol vehicle's front push bar on the passenger side, and fled eastbound on Wehrle Drive at a high rate of speed.

The deputy was not injured and the SUV may have damage on its passenger side, officials said.

Two residents in the Connection Drive neighborhood reported larcenies from vehicles Tuesday morning, the sheriff's office said.

Both incidents remain under investigation.

Anyone with information regarding the incidents is asked to call the Erie County Sheriff's Office at (716) 858-2903.