2 burglary suspects arrested after crash and foot chase in Lower Merion
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Two men are in custody after police say they fled from officers Thursday after a reported residential burglary that ended with a crash and foot chase in Lower Merion.
According to police, the incident began just before noon in Springfield, where two suspects broke into a home on Yale Avenue while the homeowner was inside.
"These two suspects cut a screen window on the rear of a house on Yale Avenue. They entered the property. They immediately went upstairs to the second floor, where they were confronted by the homeowner," said Springfield Police Lt. David Ditrolio.
The suspects fled the scene in a white Jeep, driving through Haverford. Police attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver did not pull over.
The pursuit ended at City and Lancaster avenues in Lower Merion, where police say the Jeep crashed into a pole. Both suspects ran from the scene, prompting a large police response and a search of the surrounding area.
Villanova student Joshua Bonnet described the moment after the crash.
"I just heard a boom and all these cops. I just heard the loud sirens, and I was like, 'Oh shoot, what happened?'"
One suspect was taken into custody immediately after the crash. Police deployed K9s to search for the second suspect, who was later found and arrested on the property of Lankenau Medical Center near the helipad.
On Friday, authorities identified the men as 27-year-old Jarrod Stukes and 26-year-old Rakhi Thomas, both of Philadelphia. They are facing charges of burglary, trespassing and evading arrest.
Residents in the area described a heavy police presence as officers searched nearby buildings.
"I just saw the cops hold their guns and look around the apartments and searched around my apartment," said a woman identified only as Elena.
Traffic along City Avenue was snarled for a time while police investigated and searched for those involved.
According to a Main Line Health spokesperson, Lankenau Medical Center was not placed on lockdown at the advice of Lower Merion Police. Hospital officials said patients, visitors and staff were not in any danger.
Police said no serious injuries were reported.
