A police cruiser was damaged as a group of alleged car thieves drove away to escape capture early Wednesday morning in Northeast Philadelphia, authorities said.
Law enforcement responded to a report of a theft in progress at around 2:20 a.m. on the 8000 block of Rowland Avenue in Holmesburg, officials said. When they arrived, they saw several men who had been gathered around a white SUV flee the scene, according to police.
Investigators said the suspects jumped into three sedans — a red Honda, a gray Acura and a red Mazda — and headed toward Welsh Road. The driver of the Mazda hit the front passenger side of a police vehicle on the nearby 8000 block of Cresco Avenue, authorities said. The cruiser was occupied, but the PPD reported no injuries.
Officers later found the Honda and Acura abandoned a mile away, on the 2900 block of Holme Avenue in the Holme Circle neighborhood, according to law enforcement. The red Mazda was missing, and the SUV, which detectives believe had been stolen, was left on Rowland, investigators added.
The PPD did not report any arrests. Anyone with information is asked to call or text the police tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477).
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Keywords
Northeast Philadelphia,
Holmesburg,
Philadelphia Police,
car theft,
crime,
Holme Circle