More News:

November 19, 2015

SEPTA officer goes into cardiac arrest while apprehending vandal

18-year veteran collapses during struggle with suspect

SEPTA Police
Septa Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice

This image shows a SEPTA train.

A SEPTA police officer involved in a struggle with a suspected vandal went into cardiac arrest Thursday while making an arrest, officials said.

SEPTA authorities said that a 47-year-old sergeant, who has not been identified, witnessed a suspect committing an act of vandalism in Center City around 9:30 a.m., 6 ABC reports.

A spokeswoman for SEPTA said a struggle ensued when the sergeant attempted to arrest the suspect. After the man was handcuffed, the sergeant, an 18-year veteran at SEPTA, reportedly collapsed to the ground.

The sergeant was rushed to Hahnemann Hospital to be treated for cardiac arrest. He was listed in stable condition Thursday afternoon but remained at the hospital for observation.

SEPTA Chief of Police tweeted Thursday afternoon that the sergeant is expected to recover from the incident.

The vandalism suspect faces several charges including aggravated assault and resisting arrest.

Videos