Troopers, suspect in ‘violent scuffle’ on the Media Bypass

Troopers fought with a Philadelphia man who also grabbed their utility belts and caused ammunition to fall to the ground on the Media Bypass during rush hour.

Larry Lott, 34, of the 200 block of South 70th Street was remanded to the George W. Hill Correctional Facility in lieu of 10% of $500,000 bail after arraignment by District Judge Michael A. Burns on felony charges of attempts to cause or causing BI to designated individuals, receiving stolen property, disarming law enforcement officer, possession of a firearm and firearms not to be carried without a license plus numerous other misdemeanor offenses.

According to the criminal complaint filed by Trooper Matthew Gibson of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Media station, who gathered information from speaking with the troopers involved, reviewing in-car cameras and examining physical evidence:

Shortly before 6 p.m. on Feb. 16 Cpl. Petrucci, whose first name was not provided, was patrolling in a marked state police car northbound on the Media Bypass, also known as Route 1, near Route 252 when he calibrated the speed of a Nissan Xterra in front of him at 80 mph in a 55 zone.

Petrucci attempted to stop the Nissan, whose driver slowed and eventually pulled over on the white line along the right shoulder on the off-ramp to Interstate 476 in Marple Township.

Speaking with the two occupants of the vehicle from the passenger side of the vehicle, Petrucci learned the operator did not have a driver’s license on him. During this time, the Petrucci smelled marijuana from the vehicle and noticed what appeared to be a bag of marijuana on the console.

The driver, Lott, admitted to having smoked the drug about 20 minutes earlier.

At this point, Petucci requested assistance and with an additional trooper on location, approached the driver side of the vehicle and asked Lott to exit the vehicle and go to the back of the Nissan.

Lott got out but failed to come to the back of the Nissan and turned his back to troopers, placing his hands in or near his midsection pockets.

Troopers told him to stop that, and attempted to escort him to the rear of the vehicle.

Lott then attempted to “vigorously” reenter the Nissan and the two troopers attempted to control him.

A “violent scuffle” ensued as Lott tried to resist and attempted to flee. The three crossed the traffic lanes during the scuffle, ending on the far shoulder.

Lott then grabbed at the troopers’ utility belts near their firearms. This caused ammunition magazines from each belt to fall to the ground.

Petucci was knocked to the ground and could be heard from the in-car video placing emergency radio transmissions for assistance from other law enforcement.

The report states after approximately three minutes of active resistance, Lott was placed into custody.

After controlling Lott, Troopers recovered a Glock 27 .40-caliber handgun on the pavement near the front door of the Nissan.

Troopers found an after-market accessory on the weapon known as a “Glock switch,” which would allow it to be fully automatic.

A check of the weapon from national data bases found it was reported stolen in March 2022 by the Roxboro, N.C., police department.

Troopers asked for Lott’s permission to draw blood to which he refused.

Trooper found Lott was not allowed to possess a weapon due to a prior conviction. He also had a suspended driver’s license.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 29.

Upper Providence Township units also responded to the scene. There was no information regarding the passenger in Lott’s vehicle.