The gunman and his alleged accomplice stole an occupied SUV in Bucks County and a sedan in Bustleton before the police confrontation.
An on-duty police officer fired his gun at an armed carjacking suspect who was trying to flee into Pennypack Park early Thursday, according to Philadelphia police.
The bullet missed its intended target, but police captured the suspect and his alleged accomplice soon after in the area of Strahle and Horrocks streets in Rhawnhurst. The men are charged with two gunpoint carjackings that night, including one in Falls Township, Bucks County, and another outside the Santander Bank at 9808 Bustleton Ave.
Police on Friday identified the crooks as Tyrik Robinson, 18, of the 4600 block of Magee Avenue in Tacony, and Nacir Breland, 19, of the 1600 block of West Erie Avenue in North Philly’s Tioga section.
The sequence of events leading up to the shooting began at about 12:50 a.m. when Robinson and Breland allegedly stole a silver 2009 Hyundai Tucson at gunpoint in Falls Township. Police did not disclose details of the incident.
At about 4:21 a.m., the suspects arrived at the Bustleton Avenue bank, stole a security guard’s white Toyota Camry and drove both cars from the crime scene: Robinson in the Toyota and Breland in the Hyundai.
At about 4:30 a.m., a police officer spotted the Toyota near Rhawn Street and Castor Avenue, turned on his emergency lights and pursued the car to the 8300 block of Horrocks Street. Robinson exited the car and pointed a gun at the pursuing officer, who fired one shot at Robinson, police said. The gunfire injured no one.
Robinson ran into the park, where police captured him a short time later as he hid in bushes. Other police officers spotted Breland nearby and allegedly saw him discard a set of keys to the Hyundai, which was parked nearby. He was also arrested.
Police were still searching for Robinson’s gun on Friday. ••
