Man charged in 69th Street hit and run, carjacking
A man wanted for allegedly hitting a woman and child on a motorcycle, followed by a subsequent carjacking on 69th Street Saturday afternoon was captured later in the day and arraigned Sunday morning, police said
Caliph Douglass, 32, with a last known address in the 7300 block of Ringgold Street, Philadelphia, was arraigned bedside at the Crozer Chester Medical Center (CCMC), Upland, by Magisterial District Judge Robert Radano. Bail was set at $1 million cash. According to police Superintendent Michael Chitwood, Douglass is being treated for spinal injuries and a collapsed lung sustained when he crashed his motorcycle after the accident involving the pedestrians.
The victims, a 6-year-old girl, of Philadelphia, accompanied by her great aunt, 44, visiting from Georgia, suffered serious injuries. The 6-year-old remains hospitalized in serious condition with injuries to the head, neck and face as well as internal injuries.
“Originally it was reported they were grandmother and granddaughter, but it turns out it is a great aunt and her niece that were struck,” Chitwood said. “Initially it was reported he carjacked the vehicle at point of knife, but it turns out no knife was involved. He just ripped the guy out of the car and fled.
“He made it five blocks and abandoned the car on the 6400 block of Market Street and ran into the (Cobbs Creek) woods. Police searched the woods and found a red-hooded sweatshirt on the ground.
“They later found two guys in the woods. One was bleeding from the face and all his clothes were torn. A homeless guy was helping him. He wanted him to call somebody to come to pick him up.”
Douglass was first transported to Delaware County Memorial Hospital for treatment before being transferred to CCMC, where he was admitted.
“He’s a scumbag for leaving a little girl in the street,” Chitwood said. “He runs away all because he’s driving an unlicensed vehicle. This guy’s a bum. He’s no good and has a long criminal record. Apparently he told a nurse at the hospital, ‘I hope she’s not dead. When I left the scene she was laying on the highway.’”
According to Chitwood, 69th Street was bustling at the time with shoppers and youngsters going to a show at the Tower Theater. The street was shut down for two hours as a result of the accident, which occurred at approximately 1:30 p.m.
“Apparently there was a Philadelphia police sting roundup when the chase ensues,” Chitwood said. “(Douglass) comes from Baltimore (Pike) and Church (Avenue) and goes 50-60 mph up 69th Street. There was bumperto-bumper traffic and there must have been 1,500 adults and young children, and he’s driving on the middle yellow lines. The victims were walking in the walk zone and he didn’t even slow down. They were knocked unconscious.
“Fortunately firefighters were at the Tower Theater for the soldout event and were right there when it happened.”
The child was admitted to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in serious condition; the adult was transported to Penn Presbyterian Hospital, Philadelphia, and admitted in guarded condition. They both remain hospitalized.
Douglass is facing charges of robbery, aggravated assault, simple assault, theft, receiving stolen property, reckless endangerment, driving with a suspended license, and hit and run.