Off-duty officer assaulted and gun stolen, Philadelphia police say – NBC10 Philadelphia

Philadelphia police are searching for a suspect and person of interest after two men were arrested in connection with an attack on an off-duty officer who was robbed of his weapon and hit by a car following an argument and fight over the weekend, said investigators.

Police identified 38-year-old Arthur Jones as the suspect in the attack. He is 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 180 pounds, police said. He is considered armed and dangerous.

Philadelphia police are also looking for a woman to question about the incident. Police released surveillance photos of the woman in which she can be seen wearing a gray tracksuit with gray fur boots. She was carrying a pink handbag.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of Jones or the woman, please call Philadelphia Police at 215-686-TIPS.

2 arrests for assault and theft

Before the photos of the suspect and the person involved were released on Tuesday evening, police had announced two arrests in connection with the incident.

Investigators said a 42-year-old officer was with the 22nd^nd The district had finished a night shift and left police headquarters early Sunday morning. The officer was in plain clothes and was driving home along the 2100 block of Oxford Street shortly after 7 a.m. when he spotted a crowd of people and a black BMW blocking the intersection.

Officials said the off-duty officer waited about four minutes and ran through several red lights, but the vehicle and the crowd remained on the road.

The officer then honked his horn and a woman in the crowd began arguing with him, police said. Another man, who police said was named “Duke,” then began arguing with the officer, investigators said. According to police, “Duke” then punched the officer several times in the face.

The officer then got out of the car and identified himself as a police officer, investigators said. According to police, “Duke” then pulled out a gun and held it to his side.

According to police, a fight then broke out between “Duke” and the officer. Another man, later identified as 24-year-old Yusef Coleman, then approached the officer from behind and put him in a headlock, investigators said.

According to police, Coleman was armed and the officer struggled with him for the weapon. The officer managed to push the gun away and the magazine fell out of Coleman’s gun, investigators said. According to police, the officer then pulled the trigger and fired the remaining round.

“The firearm he is fighting for is in his hand. The perpetrator has his hand on it. At some point he manages to take out the magazine. It was an extended magazine,” said Philadelphia Police Department Assistant Commissioner Frank Vanore. “But the officer knows, based on his training, that there is still a round in the chamber.”

“Duke” then pointed a gun at the officer and demanded that he release the weapon, police said. At the same time, a nearby after-hours bar had just closed and a crowd of about a dozen people arrived at the scene. Investigators said the off-duty officer was subsequently beaten by several people and his personal weapon was stolen from his holster.

An on-duty officer then arrived at the scene, causing the crowd to disperse and both “Duke” and Coleman to flee, police said. According to investigators, Coleman got into the black BMW and drove away, hitting the off-duty officer’s leg in the process.

The off-duty officer was taken to the hospital and treated for a concussion, multiple facial injuries and bruises, police said.

Investigators reviewed the officer’s body camera footage and surveillance video from the area. Investigators recognized Coleman and police located an area where they said he normally stayed.

On Sunday afternoon, Coleman and the black BMW were found at G and Hilton streets.

Coleman was taken into custody and the vehicle was recovered. Coleman was charged with criminal conspiracy, aggravated assault, assault on a law enforcement officer, robbery, theft by unlawful taking, weapons violations and related offenses.

Later on Sunday, three women arrived, aged 22, who investigators said were involved in the incident^nd I visited the district police headquarters and spoke to the police. No charges have been filed against her, although it is unknown at this time whether charges will ultimately be filed against her.

On Tuesday, police announced that “Duke” had also been arrested. They have not yet released his full name or the charges against him. Police also said they recovered the off-duty officer’s stolen gun.