Officials with the Red Oak Police Department report one of their cruisers was damaged this (Wednesday) morning, when an officer went to investigate a suspicious person. Authorities say at around 4:40-a..m., Officers Zach Ward and Brandon Allen were on routine patrol in the area of the Red Oak City Maintenance Yard, when they observed a man wearing a red t-shirt and blue jeans, walking north in a grassy area immediately north of the “A” Street entrance to the maintenance yard.

Officer Allen, who was operating the 2014 Dodge Charger patrol vehicle, turned the car north onto the grassy area and began to head toward the subject, when the vehicle hit a low fire hydrant, causing under carriage damage to the car.

The male subject took off running north toward a creek and tree line. He was pursued on foot by Officer Ward, but was not to be found. An item believed to have been dropped by the man was recovered from the scene.

A dollar amount of damage to the vehicle was not immediately available.

(12-p.m. News)