Driver charged after crashing minivan into Philadelphia Police Department headquarters

Philadelphia police say the suspect crashed his minivan into the building intentionally.

Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Driver charged after crashing minivan into Philadelphia Police HQ
A minivan crashed into the front doors of the Philadelphia Police Department Headquarters on Tuesday morning.

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A man crashed a minivan into the front doors of the Philadelphia Police Department Headquarters on Tuesday morning.

The crash happened at about 4:45 a.m. on the 400 block of North Broad Street. The vehicle slammed into the front of the building, but did not go inside of the lobby.

The driver has been identified as 71-year-old Wilfredo Santiago. He is being charged with Criminal Mischief, Institutional Vandalism, Possession of an Instrument of Crime, and Recklessly Endangering Another Person.

The district attorney's office said a mental health evaluation of Santiago will be ordered by the court.

Police say the crash was intentional.

The Action Cam was nearby and witnessed the aftermath of the crash.

Santiago could be heard yelling, "They're killing me, they're killing me," as police officers dragged him out of the vehicle.

He was taken into police headquarters for questioning but was then seen getting into a patrol car.

When Action News reporter Corey Davis asked Santiago who was killing him, the man said the police were.

Officers ran out of the building, taped off the area and secured the front lobby.

The minivan stayed out front on the sidewalk for nearly four hours until investigators were ready for the tow truck.

No injuries were reported.