TYLER — A Tyler Police officer sustained minor injuries while apprehending a pair of shoplifters in the parking lot of the Broadway Square Mall in Tyler.

It all started when off-duty Officer J.R. Smith, while working a part-time job at Dillards, was notified by loss-prevention of two black males that were in the store who have previously stolen from Dillards.

Officer Smith chased the suspects into the parking lot on the west side of the mall where the two then got into a silver vehicle and accelerated rapidly in reverse out of the parking stall, nearly running over Officer Smith.

The suspects then rammed an unoccupied vehicle causing it to collide with another unoccupied vehicle, and then left the scene.

Officer Smith sustained minor injury to his right hand and was treated by EMS before returning to work.

The case is currently still being investigated