The suspect from a May 21 police chase and shooting has been identified as 40-year-old Dennis Lee Burnette. According to a press release, he has been released from the hospital and booked into jail.
Dennis Burnette
Scottsdale police shot and wounded a man suspected of intentionally ramming two vehicles and trying to run over an officer before crashing in Mesa early Friday morning.
Scottsdale police Sgt. Ben Hoster said the 40-year-old suspect was driving a Dodge Ram pickup truck stolen out of Gilbert when he hit a vehicle near Scottsdale and Thomas roads at around 10:40 p.m. Thursday then fled the scene.
Sgt. Hoster said about 90 minutes later, the suspect intentionally struck another vehicle near Miller Road and Murray Lane, flipping that vehicle over.
Officers located the truck and followed it to a car wash at Scottsdale and McKellips roads, where the suspect accelerated and tried to run down an officer who had gotten out of his cruiser with his weapon drawn, Sgt. Hoster said.
Sgt. Hoster said the officer then fired several times, striking the truck and the driver. The truck fled and officers began a pursuit.
The chase lasted nine minutes and extended into Mesa, where the truck crashed at Desert Lane and Country Club Drive. The driver fled on foot, hiding in several backyards until he was taken into custody about 30 minutes later.
The suspect was taken to a hospital with three gunshot wounds to his upper torso and is listed in critical but stable condition.
Sgt. Hoster said the Arizona Department of Public Safety was also investigating at least three separate hit-and-run accidents on Valley freeways involving the truck.
The occupants of the vehicles involved in the Scottsdale crashes received minor injuries. No officers were injured.
Sgt. Hoster said the investigation is continuing and involves five different crime scenes.
It was the 19th officer-involved shooting in the Phoenix metro area and the 30th statewide this year.
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Through a partnership, Independent Newsmedia is publishing information provided by CBS 5 News