Robbery Suspect Shot By Police In Northeast Philadelphia
By Al Novack, Steve Beck, Nicole Brewer
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Philadelphia police shot and critically wounded a man they say tried to rob two stores in Northeast Philadelphia just after midnight Thursday.
Investigators say the attempted robbery spree began when the armed suspect walked into the 7-Eleven in the 5300 block of Harbison Street and demanded cash.
Authorities say the store clerk ran to the back of the store at which point the suspect ran out empty-handed.
The suspect then went across the street to try his luck at the Pantry 1 Food Mart. Investigators say the suspect brandished his gun a second time.
By that time, officers were alerted and arrived on the scene and saw the suspect fleeing from the store on Torresdale Avenue.
Two police officers began a foot pursuit and eventually caught up to the suspect near Bridge Street.
"When they approached the male, the male pointed a handgun at the officers. One officer discharged his weapon, striking the suspect," Chief Inspector Scott Small explained.
The suspect, identified only as a man in his 20s, was reportedly shot in the head and is listed in critical condition at Aria-Torresdale Hospital.
No officers were hurt.
Small said a semi-automatic handgun was found at the scene. In addition to the weapon, police also found eight small bags of marijuana on the suspect.
