Deputy Arrests Suspect in Theft

An off-duty sheriff’s deputy who spotted two men trying to steal merchandise from an Encino office-supply store Sunday arrested one suspect and shot at the other man, who tried to run the deputy over with a car, authorities said.

Michael Brown, a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, saw two men trying to steal office supplies from the Staples store in the 17100 block of Ventura Boulevard about 2:30 p.m., Los Angeles Police Detective Larry Dolley said.

Brown identified himself and tried to arrest the men, one of whom fled to a car and drove toward Brown, Dolley said. The deputy was knocked onto the car’s hood and shot at the driver, who sped off. Dolley said it was not known if the driver was injured.

Brown arrested Harold Joseph Evans of Los Angeles, Dolley said. Evans, 44, was booked into West Valley Jail on suspicion of felony assault on a police officer.

Brown was treated at Encino Hospital and released.