December 15, 2015
Philadelphia Police have identified a suspect who they say ran into one of their officers responding to a disturbance Monday evening in South Philadelphia, leaving him with a number of injuries.
According to authorities, the incident began around 6:40 p.m. when officers responded to a report of a person with a weapon on the 2600 block of Wharton Street.
At the corner of 27th and Earp streets, the officers saw two males who fit the description of a black male wearing a black coat from the dispatch, police say.
While trying to confirm one of the men wasn't involved in the disturbance, authorities say the other man disregarded several commands to stop, entering a silver 2003 Volkswagen Passat and speeding away.
The suspect drove around and started racing the wrong way down the 2700 block of Sears Street when a male officer motioned for him to stop, according to police.
That's when the suspect allegedly sped up, striking the officer and sending him onto a parked car.
Police chased the suspect as he drove erratically through South Philly before terminating the pursuit, authorities say.
The vehicle was later discovered at the intersection of 22nd and Annin Street with an 18-year-old woman in the front passenger seat and an 11-year-old boy in the back. The suspect fled on foot eastbound down the 2100 block of Annin Street.
The two passengers told police the suspect, identified as 26-year-old Maurice Taylor, was a family acquaintance who they've known for about a year.
The injured officer was taken to Jefferson University Hospital where he remains in stable condition.
Police say the officer suffered a broken leg, contusion to his head, a laceration on his arm and had bruises all over.
Anyone with information on Taylor, a resident of the 1500 block of Ellsworth Street, is asked to call the South Detective Division at 215-686-3013 or dial 911.
