Man on 'multi-district crime spree' crashes truck into Philadelphia playground: Police
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A stolen pickup truck careened through a Philadelphia neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon, slamming into multiple vehicles and crashing into a playground at an elementary school just before dismissal, according to witnesses and residents. The vehicle also narrowly missed a school crossing guard.
The driver, identified as 18-year-old Robert Littlepage of Douglasville, Georgia, was on a "multi-district crime spree," according to police.
Police say the suspect's crime spree began when he allegedly attempted to carjack a woman in the 6300 block of Grays Avenue around 2:13 p.m. in the city's Kingsessing section.
A short time later, Littlepage allegedly jumped into a Carusone Construction utility truck that was left running near 62nd and Reedland streets, before taking off and crashing into a parked SUV on Elmwood Avenue.
Littlepage then jumped the curb and drove the stolen vehicle down the sidewalk, before running a red light at 55th Street and Kingsessing Avenue, according to police.
The stolen vehicle was then t-boned by another vehicle, which caused a chain-reaction crash into two other parked cars before coming to a stop in the S. Weir Mitchell Elementary School yard.
Officials say the incident happened right before school dismissal.
Surveillance video obtained by Action News shows the moment the white truck comes barreling down a residential street and crashes through the playground fence.
Crossing guard Jamele Ransom explained he was standing by a tree when the truck just missed him.
"I'm thankful I'm alive," said crossing guard Jamele Ransom. "I hear boom. I don't know which way to run because that car is already doing a 360. But the time I look, he's on the curb coming towards me, so I dart back."
Daveon Gilbert, of Illusions Soul Food Express, said the impact of the crash was jarring.
"I just seen the big white truck zoom through. All you hear is boom, boom, crash, and people yelling and screaming and we were so worried in the store because we know that it's a school there, so we came rushing outside," Gilbert said.
"My heart dropped," Gilbert added. "I was just worried about all the kids, the parents in the area. So, it was like a gut punch for sure."
Sources told Action News the driver of the other vehicle was taken to the hospital and is in stable condition.
"I pray for her, too. It was a tragic situation, but it could have been far worse of what it was," said Tyrone Smalls, who lives across the street.
Smalls says his blue car was among those damaged in the crash.
"The car can be replaced, but a life can't -- especially a little life," he said.
Police took the suspect into custody at the scene. He was taken to a local hospital to be medically evaluated before being processed for his arrest.
School officials released Mitchell Elementary students from the opposite side of the building. Crews later cleared debris so classes can resume safely on Wednesday.
Littlepage is facing attempted carjacking, reckless driving, among other charges.
Police say no serious injuries to bystanders were reported and the investigation continues.
