A St. Louis police officer shot at a car thief who sideswiped his patrol car during a chaotic confrontation this morning downtown, authorities say.The officer, a 30-year-old with nearly six years experience, apparently didn't hit anyone, and the thief escaped and dumped the stolen vehicle after a short car chase involving backup officers, police say.
The incident began about 9:05 a.m. when an electronic license plate reader alerted police to a stolen car near North Tucker Boulevard and Locust Street. The officer spotted the empty car parked next to the curb and called for backup, police say.…