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Police: Wanted Man Rammed Officer's Vehicle, Arrested On Roof Following Pursuit

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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --  Philadelphia police have arrested a man who has been wanted for months after a pursuit to a rooftop on Wednesday evening. 

It happened around 5 p.m. in the 5300 block of 5th Street.

"He could have hurt someone, he could have killed someone. He could have killed police," said Philadelphia Police Inspector Scott Small.

Small tells CBS3 that the man driving the van is now behind bars, but he was wanted for the past several months.

Small says he escaped custody back in March and on Wednesday officers recognized him driving the stolen white van.

As police pursued, he sped up, ramming a police car.

"Two detectives had to jump out of the way or they would have been struck," Small said.

Small says the suspect then drove down Roosevelt Boulevard and pulled off into a parking lot in Olney at 5th and Fisher. Detectives climbed to the roof to make an arrest.

Authorities have multiple charges waiting for him.

"Burglaries, thefts, stolen autos, theft from auto, as well as aggravated assault on police," said Small.

Detectives say the stolen van had no keys and was hot-wired. They are looking for the owner to find out more.

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