3 in custody, 1 suspect still sought in attack, gun theft of off-duty officer

Two men and a woman are in custody and police continue to search for a fourth suspect after an off-duty officer was attacked, run over and had his gun stolen in Philadelphia over the weekend.

Officer Eric Rodriguez -- who was off-duty at the time -- was driving westbound along the 2100 block of Oxford Avenue on Sunday, May 12, around 7 a.m. when he became stuck in traffic behind another vehicle. After waiting through several red lights, Rodriguez, 42, honked his horn.

A man, who police identified as 23-year-old Cian Dennis, also known as "Duke," then approached Officer Rodriguez and punched him in the face while he sat in his car, investigators said.

Rodriguez then got out of the vehicle and identified himself as a police officer. Dennis allegedly pulled out a gun and held it down to his side.

Rodriguez and Dennis then struggled over the weapon, police said. At the same time, a man, later identified as 24-year-old Yusef Coleman, approached Rodriguez from behind and placed him in a headlock, investigators said.

Coleman was also armed and Rodriguez began struggling with him over the gun, according to police. Rodriguez managed to push the gun away and the magazine fell out of it, investigators said. Rodriguez then fired the remaining round. No one was struck by the gunfire, police said.

"The firearm that he's struggling over, he has a hand on it. The offender has a hand on it. At some point he's able to get the magazine dislodged. It was an extended magazine," Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore said. "But the officer, due to his training, knows that there's another round in the chamber."

Dennis then pointed his gun at Rodriguez and demanded he let go of the weapon, police said. At the same time, a nearby after-hours bar had just closed and a crowd of about a dozen people arrived at the scene, according to police. Investigators said Rodriguez was then beaten by multiple people and his personal weapon was stolen from his holster.

A responding on-duty officer then arrived at the scene, causing the crowd to disperse. Coleman fled the scene in a black BMW, striking Rodriguez's leg, police said.

Rodriguez was taken to the hospital and treated for a concussion, multiple injuries to his face and bruising, police said.

Detectives looked at the officer’s body camera footage as well as surveillance video from the area. Investigators recognized Coleman and police responded to an area they say he normally frequented.

Sunday afternoon, Coleman as well as the black BMW were found on G and Hilton streets.

Coleman was taken into custody. He is charged with criminal conspiracy, aggravated assault, assault of a law enforcement officer, robbery, theft by unlawful taking, weapon violations, and related offenses.

Later on Sunday, three women who investigators said were involved in the incident, arrived at 22^nd District police headquarters and spoke with police. No charges have been filed against them though it’s unknown at this time if they will eventually face any charges.

On Tuesday, May 14, at 8:35 p.m., Dennis surrendered to police. He's charged with criminal conspiracy, aggravated assault, robbery, theft by unlawful taking and other related offenses.

A third suspect in the incident, 24-year-old Khamil Brown, was arrested on Wednesday, May 15, after police released surveillance photos of her. She is charged with criminal conspiracy, aggravated assault, robbery, theft by unlawful taking, violation of the uniform firearms act and other related offenses.

Police also said they recovered Officer Rodriguez's stolen weapon.

Police also named 38-year-old Arthur Jones as another suspect in the attack. He stands 5-foot-6 and weighs 180 pounds, police said. He is considered armed and dangerous.

If you have any information on Jones' whereabouts, please call Philadelphia Police at 215-686-TIPS.

Officer Rodriguez is a nine-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department and is currently assigned to the 22nd District.

After he fully recovers from his injuries, he'll be placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation from Internal Affairs.

NBC10 reached out to Brown's attorney for comment. He said he could not provide a statement at this time. Online court documents don't list any legal representation for Dennis or a specific public defender for Coleman.