Mesa police believe they were shot at during car chase, detain 2 people

PHOENIX — Two men were detained Wednesday afternoon after Mesa police officers believed they were shot at during a car chase with a suspected car thief, authorities said.

The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. near 80th Street and Baseline Road when officers observed a suspect standing outside of a vehicle they had probable cause to arrest for car theft charges, the Mesa Police Department said in a press conference.

After officers initiated a traffic stop, the suspect jumped into the passenger side of the vehicle and fled with a driver, police said.

Police said they heard two pops which they believed to be gunshots while following the vehicle.

Both the suspect and the driver eventually abandoned the vehicle and took off in separate directions, police said.

Police then set up a perimeter and after briefly losing sight of the suspects, both were found and detained.

Upon inspection of the vehicle, police said the back window had been shot out.

The officers did not return gunfire at the men and there were no injuries from the incident, police said.

Police said they received information the suspect may be in the area and responded as part of a crime suppression program that has been operating for three weeks.

No additional information was made available.

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