34-year-old Ernest Morris, who resides in the 2200 block of South 56th Street in Philadelphia, is charged with assault, burglary, carrying a concealed weapon and numerous related offenses.
Police say it was at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday when officers responded to the Castlebrook Apartment complex, located on the 500 block of South Dupont Highway in New Castle, Delaware, for the report of a burglary in progress.
When officers arrived, they saw Morris standing outside a white Chrysler 300M with the motor running. A computer check revealed that Morris had an active warrant out for his arrest, and when officer's attempted to take him into custody, Morris jumped into his vehicle.
An officer quickly attempted to subdue Morris, and a struggle followed. Assisting officers then tased Morris, but he managed to place the vehicle in gear and push the gas pedal during the struggle, nearly striking two of the officers as he drove away. The officer with whom he was struggling held on, and was dragged until the vehicle crashed into an apartment building.
Police say Morris continued to resist arrest before he was eventually taken into custody.
A search of the vehicle turned up stolen property and a loaded .380 Bersa handgun that was found hidden inside the center console. Later a computer search revealed that the vehicle was reported stolen out of Philadelphia and that Morris was a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing weapons.
Police also say that Morris used a false name during the incident.
The officer was transported to the Christiana Hospital where he was treated and released after sustaining non-life threatening injuries.
