Two Provo police officers were injured early Friday after attempting to pull over a vehicle for suspected traffic violations and not displaying a license plate, which led to a vehicle pursuit and foot chase.

According to a press release from the Provo Police Department, the officers first attempted to stop the vehicle in the area of 300 South and 500 West at about 2:30 a.m. When the officers attempted to pull over the man driving, identified as Tareq Basem Hamdan, 24, he reportedly did not stop and began to drive recklessly, the release stated.

“The attempt to stop the vehicle was terminated quickly, for safety concerns,” the press release stated. However, as the vehicle drove away, the driver “swerved in a direct attempt to strike the officer’s vehicle.”

According to an affidavit of probable cause, as the pursuit continued, Hamdan evaded the officers by driving onto curbs and making quick turns into businesses and neighborhoods. “That vehicle continued north for approximately 12 blocks, at times going into oncoming traffic towards other innocent citizens and it continued to evade myself and other officers who were also trying to help,” the arresting officer wrote.

The pursuit led officers to the north end of the city and ended when Hamdan’s vehicle collided with two parked cars, according to the affidavit. The man then exited the car and left the scene on foot, reportedly leaving his vehicle in reverse and resulting in it crashing into an officer’s marked patrol car.

Hamdan was apprehended and arrested after a “lengthy foot-chase,” Provo police said. He also reportedly was found to be in possession of drugs and paraphernalia. Hamdan was found to have a revoked license and the vehicle he was driving did not have valid registration.

Sometime during the chase, the release said, Hamdan jumped off of a high wall, so he was taken to the hospital for medical treatment before being booked at the Utah County Jail.

Details of the injuries sustained by the two officers were not released, but the press release stated, “One was treated at the local hospital and released.”

Hamdan is being held without bail on suspicion of multiple felony and misdemeanor crimes, including aggravated assault, fleeing, failure to stop at command of a police officer, hit and run, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and DUI. Formal charges had not been filed as of Friday afternoon.

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