CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. — Police in Cheektowaga say an officer was injured while attempting to stop a stolen vehicle on Monday.

The Cheektowaga Police Department says it was assisting another agency with the vehicle pursuit around 4:30 a.m. when Officer Troy Blackchief deployed stop sticks on Union Road at Route 33. According to the department, Blackchief was then struck by the fleeing vehicle.

During a news conference, police said Blackchief was unresponsive when he was brought to ECMC for treatment. Officials say he is now of out surgery and is in critical condition.

“That is our mission right now — is to make sure that Officer Blackchief gets the best care possible,” said Chief Brian Gould, Cheektowaga Police Department. “That his family is supported, that our officers are supported and that we bring those responsible to justice.”

The vehicle that police say struck Blackchief was found abandoned at a gas station at the intersection of Kensington Avenue and Century Road. Investigators say a second stolen vehicle they believe was also involved in the incident that led up to the crash was found later on Nicholson Street.

Police say they do not have any suspects in custody. Crime Stoppers WNY is offering up to a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in connection with this incident. Anyone with information is asked to call Lt. Dan Albrecht at (716) 686-7461 or send a confidential text message to 847411 and begin the message with CPD NY. You can also provide information through the Cheektowaga Police Department website.