Drug Agent in Sting Accidentally Shot

ANAHEIM — An undercover narcotics investigator was accidentally shot in the leg Friday night by another officer while hanging onto a sports car driven by a suspected drug dealer, Anaheim police said.

Four officers, two in plainclothes, were working on a drug sting operation about 8 p.m. when two suspects in a red Pontiac Fiero pulled up to them and offered to purchase narcotics. While the undercover officer leaned into the car to talk to one suspect, other officers appeared, identified themselves and ordered the driver, identified as Edith Blitstein, 26, of Garden Grove, to turn off the ignition.

Instead, she put the car in gear and sped off, dragging the unidentified officer with her for a distance, police said. Another officer fired several shots at the speeding car, one of which struck the officer in the leg before he dropped off. Blitstein and her passenger, Michael Hollingsworth, 30, of Garden Grove, were arrested after a short chase through the city.

The pair were booked at the Anaheim Temporary Detention Facility for narcotics violations and, for driving off with the undercover officer, assault with a deadly weapon, according to Sgt. Chet Barry.

The injured officer, who has not been identified, was treated at the scene for the bullet wound and leg abrasions and taken to UCI Medical Center in Orange. Police said they did not know whether the officer had been released Saturday.