Officer assaulted in East Oak Lane; suspect at large

EAST OAK LANE (WPVI) -- A search is underway for a suspect who assaulted a Philadelphia police officer in East Oak Lane.

It happened at 12:40 a.m. Wednesday in the 100 block of East Godfrey Avenue.

Officers responding to a report of a domestic disturbance and a person with a gun arrived to find a man outside a home.

Police say he refused to put his hands up and was combative.

Police say when an officer tried to frisk him, the suspect punched the officer in the face and pushed the officer over a railing.

The suspect then fled on foot. Officers gave chase, but the suspect escaped.

Police say he was last seen near North Front Street and Godfrey Avenue.

The officer was taken to an area hospital to be treated for bruises to the leg and torso. He is expected to be okay.

Police do not believe the suspect has a weapon.

They say the officer who tried to frisk the suspect did so because the initial report indicated the suspect may have had a gun.

As the search for the man continued. police told Action News they know who they are looking for and expected to locate the suspect soon.