Suspected car thief arrested after standoff in North Philadelphia

NORTH PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- After more than two hours, a standoff involving a suspected car thief ended peacefully with the suspect being walked to a police cruiser in North Philadelphia.

It happened around 6 p.m. Friday near 16th Street and Allegheny Avenue.

Police say they spotted a stolen SUV at 16th and Lippincott.

When they stopped the car, police say the driver jumped out, shoved an officer and ran down 16th Street.

"As he did, the backup officer also arrived, and the backup officer could see the male was pulling a firearm from his waistband," said Philadelphia Police Chief Insp. Joe Sullivan.

One officer fired three shots, missing the suspect who darted into an alley halfway down the block.

Police say the suspect then barricaded himself in an apartment. The resident there fled, and police evacuated the other units in the building.

"At that point the officers secured the property front and rear, called for a supervisor and a barricade situation was declared," said Sullivan.

Police made phone communication with the suspect who tried to trick officers into believing he'd already escaped the apartment building.

After more than two hours, police made entry into the first-floor apartment.

"When we entered the property, he immediately surrendered. It turned out the weapon was a replica of a firearm, replica of a glock. Same firearm that we carry," said Sullivan.

No injuries were reported.

Police say the suspect is known to police, but have not released his identity.