Philly man pleads no contest in shooting, chase

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26-year-old Philadelphia man has entered “no contest” pleas to numerous charges stemming from a

2019 home invasion-turnedshooting and police chase.

Wali Davis-Grant entered his no contest pleas Oct. 9 before Common Pleas Court Judge George Pagano on two counts each of aggravated assault and criminal trespass, all felonies of the second degree, one count of burglary, a second-degree felony, and one count of f leeing or eluding police, a third-degree felony.

Davis-Grant, appearing via video from the county prison where he has been incarcerated since his arrest Aug. 8, 2019, also entered no contest pleas to two counts of institutional vandalism in separate dockets. Defense attorney Robert Keller indicated

Assistant District Attorney Sean McNabb has already agreed there would be no further penalty on those counts.

Davis-Grant was arrested following a police chase that originated in Darby Borough – where he allegedly shot at an officer – and concluded in Springfield.

According to the Springfield police blotter, officers received a countywide broadcast that Upper Darby was pursuing a vehicle wanted for a home invasion in Philadelphia and a shooting in Darby Borough.

The chase allegedly resulted in one Upper Darby police cruiser crashing near the border with Springfield at Bishop Avenue, police told the Daily Times last year.

Springfield Officer Dan Boyd saw a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on Baltimore Pike at Saxer Avenue matching the suspect’s description. He lost sight of the vehicle as it continued west on Baltimore Pike, but later found the vehicle crashed in the 900 block of Woodland Avenue with no driver present, according to the blotter.

“Officers from multiple jurisdictions were searching the area when a resident of Greenbriar Lane reported his rear door kicked in,” the blotter said. “The family was escorted from the home and police searched inside.”

Officers allegedly located Davis-Grant hiding in the basement, where he was taken into custody before being turned over to Darby Borough officers.

Pagano previously ordered a drug and alcohol evaluation and a psychiatric evaluation for Davis-Grant. Keller indicated both had been completed and he should have those reports available by sentencing, set for Oct. 28. Davis-Grant meanwhile remains in custody at the county prison in lieu of $1 million cash bail.