Man arrested, another sought for allegedly assaulting off-duty Philadelphia police officer, stealing gun
Update: The man known as Duke was taken into police custody and police are now looking for additional people of interest in connection with this incident, according to Philadelphia police. Read the latest update.
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Police say they're searching for a man known as "Duke" in connection with a fight that ended with an off-duty officer's personal firearm missing and the officer's leg run over by a car Sunday morning in North Philadelphia.
The incident happened just after 7 a.m. Sunday in the 2100 block of West Oxford Street, just before Ridge Avenue.
In a press conference on Monday, Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore said a 22nd District officer was driving home after work when he came across a crowd of at least 12 people and a black BMW blocking the intersection.
The off-duty officer waited about four minutes before honking his horn and asking the BMW to move, Vanore said.
The deputy commissioner then said a woman with the BMW got into a verbal argument with the off-duty officer before a man, whom police claim is known as "Duke," approached the officer's car.
After an argument, Vanore claimed Duke then assaulted the officer, punching him several times in the face. The off-duty officer then parked his car and identified himself as a law enforcement officer, according to Vanore.
Duke then pulled out a tan-colored gun and held it at his side, police said in a news release on Tuesday. At this stage, the officer alerted an on-duty officer from the district, asking for assistance.
A 6-foot-8 man then became involved in a struggle with the officer, Vanore said. The 6-foot-8 man came up from behind the officer and put him in a headlock.
At some point during the fight, Vanore said the off-duty officer took his firearm out and then reholstered it as they were struggling for a weapon the man allegedly had.
Vanore said while the officer and the suspect were struggling for the man's gun when the officer was able to dislodge the gun's magazine and fire the last bullet away from the crowd to empty the gun. No one was shot, according to Vanore.
In a news release, police said Duke allegedly then pointed a gun at the officer and demanded he drop the 6-foot-8 man's firearm. Many people then beat the off-duty officer and his personal firearm was stolen from the holster.
Once the on-duty officer from the district arrived to help, the crowd and suspects involved cleared the area.
The 6-foot-8 man was able to get away from the police and escaped in the BMW, running over the off-duty officer's leg. Others in the crowd also escaped, Vanore said.
The man was later arrested at G and Hilton streets in Kensington and the BMW was recovered, Vanore said. The suspect has been arrested and charged with criminal conspiracy, aggravated assault, assault of a law enforcement officer, robbery, theft by unlawful taking, violations of the Uniform Firearms Act and related offenses, according to police.
Police said Tuesday that a firearm was recovered but did not specify who the weapon belonged to.
It's unclear if Duke and the 6-foot-8 man know each other or if they were in the black BMW together.
Police said Duke was wearing all black and also had a gun he left the area with. Police are still searching for him.
Vanore said three women involved in the incident were later questioned at the 22nd District. At this time, the women are not being charged, but the investigation remains ongoing.
According to police, the off-duty officer will go on administrative leave once he recovers from his injuries, pending the outcome of the Internal Affairs and Officer-Involved Shooting Investigations.
Police urge anyone with information related to Duke's whereabouts to contact them.