Suspect Kills Four While Fleeing Philly Police
By Wyatt Earp | June 13, 2009
I purposely waited to comment on this terrible story until I returned to work on Thursday night. The accident happened right on the border of my division, and some of my co-workers had first-hand information.
Amazingly, this CNN story got it right.
Go figure.
A woman and three children were killed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when a suspected robber fleeing in a car jumped a curb and struck them, police said Thursday.
“He literally cut a tree in half,” Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey said, “then hit the 1-year-old, [who] was in a stroller. The other individuals were on the front porch of their own home. He struck with such force that it knocked the concrete steps loose.”
My God.
Latoya Smith, 22, died Thursday from injuries in the crash, which occurred shortly after 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Fentonville area of north Philadelphia, police Capt. James Clark said.
Smith’s daughter, Remedy Smith — who would have turned 1 on Friday — died at the scene, as did Alicia Griffin, 6, and Gina Rosario, 7, Clark said.
A senseless tragedy. All because some toad thought it would be a good idea to rob some poor schlub at gunpoint. Hopefully, the POS driver will be charged with four counts of murder.
Donta Cradock, 18, the alleged driver of the gray Pontiac, faces charges for theft of a motorcycle, the crime that allegedly triggered his flight, police said.
Cradock and an alleged accomplice, Ivan Rodriguez, 20, stole a motorcycle at gunpoint around 7:30 p.m., he said. (H/T – CNN)
A handgun was recovered from the waistband of Cradock. Rodriguez was arrested after he drove the stolen motorcycle to his own home! We’re not dealing with brain surgeons here, people. These toads are lifelong criminals, and they are responsible for the murders of four innocent citizens.
The department released the radio tape of the incident. You can listen to it HERE. As you can hear, the officer is obviously not in high-speed pursuit, which is consistent with the reports. The officer calmly gives out the pertinent information, and only shows emotion when he arrives on the horrific accident scene.
Please pray for the families of the victims.
Topics: Philly, The Job | 13 Comments »
June 13th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Hopefully this scum will rot in prison. Do you all have they death penalty?
June 13th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Career criminals at 18 and 20. An 18 year old with a gun. The most criminal thing I did at 18 was hide in the trunk of a car to sneak into the drive-in.
This is mind numbingly horrific. I hope these two never see the light of day ever again.
June 13th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
This would have been an appropriate use for the Saudi
“Death chip”, the one they want to implant in criminals who were released and if they recommit..zap..dead.
Maybe it could be toned down to paralyze for instance. That way if an officer is pursuing a stolen car driven by a released felon, just push a button at the right time (no houses, pedestrians around etc.) and voila! Chase over.
However half of the residents of some neighborhoods around the police transmitter might suddently collapse
and this might not be good.
June 13th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Rick – We have it, but it is never implemented. Even for cop killers.
Mrs. Crankipants – Agreed. Let them rot for the rest of their miserable lives.
Jon – It’s worth the risk to keep these animals down.
June 13th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Does this classify as murder in the US? I doubt whether intent to kill the family could be proved if that is required.
Don’t get me wrong – get them out of the way of people by whatever means is legal for as long as possible.
Doesn’t say whether there is a husband but if there were, imagine having your family wiped out in a second …
June 13th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Alan B- I believe it is a Second Degree Murder: Homicide committed during the course of a felony. So intent doesn’t really matter here. Am I right on this Wyatt?
June 13th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Wonderful!! Three potentially productive lives snuffed out in an instant by a “career criminal”.
And the taxpayers will have to support these……(ok, I have to restrain myself here)…..feces….for the rest of their lives.
Lucky you.
(spit)
June 13th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
TG there are people like yourself who face this every working day. In a matter of seconds, a thoughtless, ignorant fool destroy everything around him: thus endeth the lesson.
June 13th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
6 That makes sense, thanks Raptor
With a max penalty of ??
June 13th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
There is one bright spot in the story: The maniac driver was paralyzed from the waist down as a result of the crash.
June 14th, 2009 at 1:10 am
Watching the grief of the families has been tough. (Between them and the family of that poor little girl who was raped…so sad.)
June 14th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Alan – Raptor is correct. In Pennsylvania, they would both be charged with Second Degree Murder. Murder in the commission of a felony – the original robbery.
Raptor – 100% correct.
RAPH – And in Philly, they will almost surely NOT receive the maximum sentence upon conviction.
redmirabi – The trick is to try and get them before they destroy someone else’s life.
Captain – Didn’t hear that. Good.
RT – Just another day on my job. Now you see why I am such a sarcastic cynical bastard.
June 14th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Wyatt said:
“Just another day on my job. No[w] you see why I am such a sarcastic cynical bastard.”
I don’t believe a word of it. I believe you care a great deal but you use this as a safety valve. Keep sounding off – I for one think I understand.