Police say the area of Grange and Hope in Olney has been plagued by a series of armed robberies.
"We've had three armed robberies last night and several other armed robberies in this immediate area," Chief Inspector Scott Small of the Philadelphia Police said.
Alarmed by the trend, commanders at the 35th district, sent three plain clothes officers to comb for the suspects. Investigators say just before 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, they spotted two men fitting the description.
"When the plain-clothes officers exited the vehicle, identified themselves as police, and went to investigate two males, they both fled on foot," Small said.
The officers gave chase as the suspects ran east on Grange and then north on Hope.
"When one of the two suspects ran the corner on Hope Street, he pulled out a handgun and pointed it towards the three officers. The three officers discharged their weapons," Small said.
About 12 shots were fired with the gunman, a 19-year-old, struck twice in the right shoulder and once in the leg.
He was transported to Einstein Hospital in Critical condition.
The other suspect, a 20-year-old who lives in the area, was arrested without incident about a block away.
"No officers were injured. All the officers will go home with their families tonight," Small said.
Residents were gratified the two men, believe responsible for the rash of robberies, have been taken off the streets despite the fact one of them was shot.
The case is being reviewed by Police Internal Affairs.
The three officers are members of the Narcotics Enforcement Team.
