ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A Covington police officer was dragged by a suspect’s car on Friday.

During a traffic stop at the QuikTrip on Highway 142, the officer was dragged a few hundred yards until the car turned, throwing the officer off the vehicle, a spokesperson with the Covington Police Department said.

Police said the traffic stop stemmed from a shoplifting call at a Walmart.

The officer was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital in stable condition. He was released Friday night. The officer has “bumps, bruises, scrapes and impact injuries” from the incident, but he is doing “okay,” according to police.

On Saturday, police identified the suspect as Destinee Riggins. She faces charges of aggravated assault against a law enforcement officer, armed robbery and theft by shoplifting.

Andrew Phillips, who witnessed the incident, said the officer had been speaking with the suspect for about a minute before the car took off.

“[The suspect] drug him all around the QuikTrip. It was pretty crazy,“ he said. ”Nothing like that has ever happened that I’ve noticed. I’ve been here for like two years.”

Taylor Bowman, another witness, said it was scary to see the officer fall.

“I saw them put him on the gurney,” said Taylor Bowman. “As they were putting him on the gurney into the ambulance, I could see something on his head, I’m not sure if it was blood or what it might’ve been. I think he might’ve hit his head when he fell off the car.”

After dragging the officer, Riggins ditched the car, according to police. Some of her family members then reportedly picked up the vehicle and were later stopped by officers.

Using surveillance footage of where the car was picked up, police were able to track down and arrest Riggins at an apartment complex.

Police are still working to determine whether the family members were knowingly helping Riggins elude arrest. No charges have been filed against them.

Atlanta News First is working to learn more. Check back for updates on this developing story.

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