A Marbella police officer was hospitalized after attempting to recover a stolen handbag during a dramatic chase in Estepona.

The incident occurred shortly before 8 PM on Wednesday while the off-duty officer was shopping with his partner. He noticed two individuals working together to steal a handbag from a woman in the supermarket parking lot. One suspect distracted the victim while the other snatched her purse.

Alarmed by their suspicious actions, the officer intervened and ordered the thieves to stop. However, they ignored him and fled toward their getaway vehicle.

In a bid to prevent their escape, the officer grabbed onto the passenger-side window of the car. The driver accelerated, dragging the officer several meters down the road, while the passenger attempted to strike his hands to force him to let go. Eventually, the officer fell to the ground, sustaining a head injury.

Emergency services transported him to the Costa del Sol Hospital in Marbella, where he was treated for dizziness stemming from the fall. Fortunately, his injuries are not life-threatening.

The suspects, who escaped in a rental car, had not been apprehended at the time of reporting. The officer is a member of Marbella’s local police force, although he was off duty during the incident.