Police looking for hit and run driver who struck Newark officer

NEWARK, New Jersey (WABC) -- The search is on for a driver who struck a police officer in Newark and then drove off.

Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose said the officer of the 3rd Precinct was struck by a white pickup truck outside the precinct at Market and Read streets shortly before 8 a.m. Sunday.

The officer was retrieving items from his personal vehicle, a 2013 Ford F-150, when the pickup truck collided with him and his vehicle, causing the officer to be thrown toward his vehicle, Ambrose said.

According to police, the suspect's vehicle stopped monetarily before ignoring the officer's commands to stop and pull over. The pickup truck accelerated traveling east on Market Street.

The vehicle was a silver Toyota Matrix crossover utility vehicle.

Newark police released photos of the suspect's car:

The officer is 46 years old and has served the Newark Police Division for 15 years. He is in stable condition at University Hospital.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Department's 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867). All anonymous Crime Stopper tips are kept confidential and could result in a reward.