Reward increased in case of Cleveland police officer hit by vehicle

CLEVELAND (AP) — Authorities searching for the driver of a vehicle that struck and injured a Cleveland police officer and fled say a reward in the case has been increased.

Cleveland police said today the reward offered by Crime Stoppers of Cuyahoga County has been increased from up to $5,000 to up to $7,500. The Crime Stoppers organization says the reward is for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the driver who hit the officer.

Police say the officer was hit while working in downtown Cleveland's Warehouse District about 4 a.m. Saturday and was hospitalized with broken ribs. The officer's identity hasn't been released.

Investigators are searching for a white Jeep Compass with heavy front-end damage.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact police or Crime Stoppers.