Police Officer Assaulted With Pepper Spray In Port Richmond
By Elizabeth Hur
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The search continues for a suspect who allegedly assaulted a Philadelphia police officer with pepper spray at a Target store in Port Richmond Monday.
According to sources, police were able to identify their suspect Monday evening. Based on their information, they went to serve a search warrant at his home Monday night. Police did not find the suspect at the home in the 2200 block of Huntingdon Street, but they believe they located the getaway vehicle.
The initial incident was reported shortly before 6 p.m. at the 2700 block of Castor Avenue.
Philadelphia police say while working an overtime detail at the store, the officer, along with two Target security guards, were maced while attempting to apprehend a man suspected of committing a theft.
Police say the suspect put up quite a fight even though, we are told, he was caught red-handed returning an item he never bought -- for cash.
"When they went to cuff him, they didn't know he was going to pull chemical mace or OC pepper spray and spray it into the eyes of security, as well as the police, so this is a dangerous individual," Chief Inspector Scott Small explained.
Police describe the suspect as a white or Hispanic man about 6'2," bald with a full beard. He has a full sleeve tattoo on his right arm and tattoos on his left arm. He was last seen wearing a white and blue polo shirt and ¾ length blue jeans.
Police say the suspect hopped into a waiting purple Dodge minivan and fled westbound on Castor Avenue with his getaway driver.
The officer was taken to Temple University Episcopal Hospital, where he was treated and released.
