Suspect wanted after S.F. police shooting

Two residents of the Potrero Hills housing Complex watch as San Francisco Police officers gear up before they searched for a suspect in an officer-involved shooting in the complex on Tuesday, February 4, 2014, in San Francisco, Calif., after a car chase earlier in the afternoon. The suspect was not located. less Two residents of the Potrero Hills housing Complex watch as San Francisco Police officers gear up before they searched for a suspect in an officer-involved shooting in the complex on Tuesday, February 4, 2014, ... more Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 9 Caption Close Suspect wanted after S.F. police shooting 1 / 9 Back to Gallery

(02-04) 15:50 PST SAN FRANCISCO -- Police are searching for a suspected car thief who led officers on a high-speed chase through San Francisco streets Tuesday, at one point driving his stolen vehicle at officers and prompting them to open fire at him, authorities said.

Several blocks in the Potrero Hill neighborhood were cordoned off shortly after noon when the suspect evaded police and apparently left his stolen Saab at a public housing complex. SWAT teams searched homes in the neighborhood and asked residents to shelter in place, but were unable to find the driver.

The suspect's identity was not immediately known, and police did not know if he was armed.

"It was determined that the perimeter will be taken down, but we'll still be looking for this person," Officer Albie Esparza, a police spokesman, said at about 2 p.m.

The incident began just after noon near the Potrero Terrace complex, at 25th and Dakota streets, when police identified a stolen vehicle and attempted to pull over the driver, Esparza said. The driver, though, fled. Officers pursued him, but soon discontinued the chase when they saw it was becoming a potential danger to the public, Esparza said.

A short time later, police received a call about a crash at 19th and Third streets in the Dogpatch neighborhood, Esparza said. The driver of the stolen vehicle, he said, had apparently "sandwiched himself" between two cars as he tried to get through the intersection.

Police said one person whose car was hit was injured in the collision.

When the suspect spotted police, he accelerated out from between cars and began driving at officers, Esparza said. He said the officers fired rounds at the car in an attempt to stop the suspect, but the man got away and kept driving. Police do not know if the suspect was hit by the bullets.

The vehicle was later discovered at the housing complex, but police believe the man left the area.