Chester, PA - Handcuffed Teen Murder Suspect Steals Police Car - Crashes Into House

Teen Murder Suspect Flees In Police Car

Chester News 11/20/09
 

CHESTER, Pa. - One of two teens charged in the stray-bullet shooting death of a Chester woman managed to steal the police car he was riding inside, say authorities.

17-year-old Abdul Johnson was handcuffed in the backseat of an unmarked police car on its way to Delaware County Prison. That's when he hopped in the driver's seat and sped off just after 4 p.m. Thursday, police said.

Johnson's two escorts were outside the vehicle, securing their weapons when he made the getaway.

The teen drove through four Delco townships along Route 322 on his way back to Chester. Police caught up with Johnson when he crashed into a house at 6th and Highland Streets.

Johnson and 19-year-old Domique Smith face first-degree murder charges in the death of 49-year-old Kathy Stewart.

Stewart was talking on the phone in the second floor bedroom of her home in the 300 block of Franklin Street when the bullet slammed through the wall and hit her in the head Sunday night.

Police say the 17- and 19-year-old suspects were shooting at someone in retaliation for a friend who'd been shot.

They were arraigned and held without bail Thursday.
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