Police in Baltimore charged a shoplifting suspect with attempted murder Tuesday after authorities said the man struck two officers with his car as he tried to get away.

Police said another officer shot at the vehicle being driven by suspect Alex Husson, 33, of Ellicott City, Maryland, but didn’t hit the accused thief with gunfire.

Mr. Husson is facing an attempted first-degree murder charge, on top of other possible charges, for the incident that happened Tuesday morning at a 7-Eleven in the southwestern part of the city, according to police.

Acting Police Commissioner Richard Worley said two officers were hospitalized following the confrontation — one with a minor hand injury, the other with chest pains. 

Detectives first observed a man stealing items from the convenience store around 11:20 a.m. 

When officers approached the suspect, he fled and got inside a black SUV, which Mr. Husson is accused of using to assault the police.

Commissioner Worley said police were in the area investigating a string of burglaries in recent weeks at Wilkens Plaza Shopping Center, where the 7-Eleven is located.

The 7-Eleven has 10 reported instances of shoplifting, according to police.

• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.