Man is dragged by truck and injured trying to stop theft at Independence tobacco store

A man trying to stop his truck from being stolen at an Independence tobacco store Wednesday was dragged by the vehicle in the parking lot and left in critical condition, according to authorities.

Independence police released video of the incident, which occurred about 12:30 p.m. at the Discount Smokes shop at 4524 S. Noland Road.

The owner of the truck was in the store when he saw someone get inside it and begin to drive away. The owner ran outside and tried to stop it but was seriously injured, police said.

The truck was seen leaving northbound on Noland Road.

The owner was taken to a hospital.

Police gave a suspect description of a man with short brown hair wearing a light-colored T-shirt and dark-colored shorts and carrying a backpack.

The truck is a blue and tan 2008 Ford F-250 pickup with a flatbed and a snowplow attachment on the front. It bears Missouri license plate number 54A9YB.

Police ask anyone with information about the incident to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477 or the Independence Police Department tip line at 816-325-7777. Emails to Independence police can be sent to leads@indepmo.org.

This story was originally published June 8, 2016 at 5:34 PM with the headline "Man is dragged by truck and injured trying to stop theft at Independence tobacco store."