Attempted theft turns into shooting, police say
Alleged shooter facing assault, related offenses
COLLINGDALE » Police responding to an attempted vehicle theft became witnesses to a shooting during a pursuit Halloween night, according to a release from Police Chief Ken Felker.
Officers from Collingdale and Darby Borough were dispatched for a report of an attempted vehicle theft at about 9:30 p.m. Sunday on the border between the two towns in the area of Chester Pike and MacDade Boulevard, according to the release.
Collingdale officers T.J. McCauley and Colin Richers were in marked police cars on Roberta Avenue approaching MacDade Boulevard when they spotted the passenger of a red Chrysler firing a handgun out the window at a green Jeep, the release says.
A vehicle pursuit began and the passenger threw a loaded handgun out of the car on the Clifton Avenue Bridge, according to the release.
The pursuit continued on Chester Pike into Ridley Park, where two police cars were damaged, then back toward
Collingdale on Chester Pike before ending without incident on Chester Pike near Pine Street, the release says.
Three teenagers from Philadelphia were taken into custody: The 19-year-old passenger, identified as Amir Stafford; a 14-year-old driver; and an 18-year-old woman in the rear passenger seat, the release says. All were taken into custody.
Investigators spoke with the driver of the Jeep, who reported that he was picking up food at Chester Pike and MacDade Boulevard when he saw his car move, the release says. He approached the driver’s side door and allegedly saw Stafford in his car.
Stafford ran to the red Chrysler and fled with the other driver in pursuit, according to the release. The Jeep owner called 911 and followed the car until he was shot at in the area of MacDade Boulevard and Roberta Avenue. The Jeep suffered damage from a bullet and investigators found a shell casing at the scene, according to the release.
The shooting was also captured by police dash-cams, the release says. Investigators were tracing the firearm and the vehicle the suspects were in.
The 14-year-old was released to his parents and a juvenile petition was filed with Delaware County Juvenile Court. The 18-year-old was released without charges.
Stafford is charged with aggravated and simple Assault, reckless endangerment, discharge of a firearm into an occupied structure or vehicle, attempted robbery of a motor vehicle, theft, and weapons offenses.
He was arraigned by District Justice Lee Grimes and is being held without bail at the county jail in Concord awaiting a Nov. 5 preliminary hearing.