Police hunting for suspect after police officer punched, cop car rammed in Whyalla crime spree

A home was allegedly smashed up before a police patrol was rammed by a stolen car and an officer was punched in the face in a wild crime spree involving three armed men on Sunday.

A house was allegedly trashed before a police patrol was slammed into by a stolen car and an officer was struck in the face on Sunday.

Two men were arrested and one is still on the run following the altercation, which started at a Whyalla home on Sunday.

Just before 9am three men – two of whom were reportedly known to the victim – allegedly went to a home on Bradford St and smashed windows and the home’s security cameras.

The allegedly armed trio also caused damage to the front door before doing a burnout and driving off in a stolen silver Honda CRV, police say.

Police found the car in the driveway of a nearby home and as police pulled up, the driver allegedly reversed into and rammed the police vehicle before driving off.

Patrols searched the area but couldn’t find the car, before police returned to the property and arrested two men after they were identified as being allegedly involved in the earlier incident.

Police will allege during the arrest of one suspect, an officer was punched in the face causing bruising.

The officer was medically assessed at the hospital but no serious injury was reported.

A 25-year-old man from Port Lincoln was charged with property damage, assault police and hinder or resist police.

He was refused bail and will appear in the Whyalla Magistrates Count on Monday.

A 31-year-old man from Whyalla Norrie was charged with misuse of a motor vehicle and driving disqualified.

He was bailed to appear in the Whyalla Magistrates Court on November 19.

Police are still searching for the third suspect along with the stolen silver Honda CRV.

The Honda was bearing unassigned plates with a Victorian number plate on the front and an SA number plate on the rear.

The car was reported stolen from Findon a month ago.

Originally published as Police hunting for suspect after police officer punched, cop car rammed in Whyalla crime spree