3 charged, 1 still wanted in assault on off-duty Philadelphia officer – NBC10 Philadelphia

Two men and a woman are in custody and police continue to search for a fourth suspect after an off-duty officer was attacked, run over and had his gun stolen in Philadelphia over the weekend.

Officer Eric Rodriguez – who was off duty at the time – was driving west on the 2100 block of Oxford Avenue around 7 a.m. on Sunday, May 12, when he became stuck in traffic behind another vehicle. After waiting at several red lights, Rodriguez, 42, honked his horn.

A man whom police identified as 23-year-old Cian Dennis, also known as “Duke,” then walked up to Officer Rodriguez and punched him in the face while he sat in his car, investigators said.

Rodriguez then got out of the vehicle and identified himself as a police officer. Dennis allegedly pulled out a gun and held it to his side.

Rodriguez and Dennis then fought over the gun, police said. At the same time, a man, later identified as 24-year-old Yusef Coleman, approached Rodriguez from behind and put him in a headlock, investigators said.

Coleman was also armed and Rodriguez began fighting with him over the gun, according to police. Rodriguez managed to push the gun away and the magazine fell out, investigators said. Rodriguez then fired the remaining round. According to police, no one was hit by the shots.

“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.”

Dennis then pointed his gun at Rodriguez and told him to let go of the gun, 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, according to police. Investigators said Rodriguez 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. Coleman fled the scene in a black BMW, striking Rodriguez in the leg, police said.

Rodriguez 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 responded to an area where he was believed to normally hang out.

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

Coleman was taken into custody. He is charged with criminal conspiracy, aggravated assault, assault on a police officer, robbery, theft by unlawful taking, weapons violations and similar 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, May 14, at 8:35 p.m., Dennis turned himself in to police. He is charged with criminal conspiracy, aggravated assault, robbery, theft by unlawful taking and other related offenses.

A third suspect in the incident, 24-year-old Khamil Brown, was arrested on Wednesday, May 15, after police released surveillance photos of her. She is accused of criminal conspiracy, aggravated assault, robbery, theft by unauthorized taking, violation of the Weapons Act and other related crimes.

Police also said they recovered Officer Rodriguez’s stolen gun.

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

If you have any information on Jones’ whereabouts, please call Philadelphia Police at 215-686-TIPS.

Officer Rodriguez is a nine-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department and is currently assigned to the 22nd District.

After fully recovering from his injuries, he will be placed on leave pending the outcome of the Home Office investigation.

NBC10 reached out to Brown’s attorney for comment. He said he could not comment at this time. Online court documents do not list legal representation for Dennis or a specific public defender for Coleman.