INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- Officers arrested several people Thursday afternoon after an unrelated string of crimes converged at Interstate 70 and Noland Road.

KMBC's Dan Weinbaum reported that the trouble began at Independence Center Mall when shoplifters were spotted and officers gave chase.

Meanwhile, there was a stolen car investigation nearby.

"It almost sounded like the bad guys passed each other crossing I-70 -- running from police officers on each side," Officer Tom Gentry said.

While the interchange at Noland and I-70 was busy, an officer on a motorcycle suffered minor injuries when his motorcycle crashed into a patrol car. He was treated at a local hospital for some cuts and bruises.

Gentry said the good news is that all the suspects were arrested.

"All the bad guys have been caught -- we do have that," Gentry said.

E-Mail: Contact Dan Weinbaum