PHILADELPHIA — Three men are in police custody after allegedly stealing a Dodge Charger and causing a series of accidents.
According to Chief Inspector Scott Small, the incident occurred on Monday morning on Shipley Road in Northeast Philadelphia. The driver of the Charger was approached by three armed men who stole the vehicle.
Shortly after the theft, while police were discussing the incident over the radio, a sergeant from the 7th District spotted the Charger traveling south on Castor Avenue.
The sergeant initiated a pursuit, resulting in a collision with a Honda CR-V, causing the Honda to overturn. Thankfully, the 44-year-old driver of the Honda sustained no injuries.
The Charger then collided with a utility pole at the intersection of Castor and Levick Avenues in Oxford Circle and caught fire around 3 a.m.
Following the crash, two of the suspected carjackers fled the scene, while a sergeant bravely rescued the remaining suspect from the burning Dodge, potentially saving his life.
Eventually, the police apprehended the other two suspects, and the rightful owner of the Charger was reunited with his vehicle.
The suspect pulled from the burning Charger is in critical condition and receiving treatment at a local hospital.
During the investigation, authorities discovered three firearms and ammunition inside the stolen vehicle.