Philadelphia

Man Arrested After Firing at Police, Stealing SWAT Vehicle, Leading Chase

Police told NBC10 the stolen vehicle has SWAT gear and two rifles inside.

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A man wanted for crashing a motorcycle in Philadelphia, shooting at police, stealing a SWAT vehicle with rifles inside and driving it into New Jersey has been arrested.

Police said Arthur Disanto Jr. was wounded after being shot by officers after he drove into Deptford, New Jersey, ran to nearby Washington Township and had a scuffle with officers. The Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office said a police officer was also shot, but the wound is not considered life threatening.

The GCPO also confirmed that Disanto is the same man wanted by the FBI for attempted homicide after allegedly shooting a woman in her apartment in Media, Pennsylvania, in early July.

The wild series of events started in Delaware County Monday. Police spotted Disanto crashing a motorcycle along the 8400 block of Lindbergh Avenue in Philadelphia early Monday evening. 

As police approached him, the man allegedly fired shots at the officers. He then got off the motorcycle and stole an unmarked police vehicle, a Chevrolet Tahoe, investigators said. He then drove off.

No officers were injured during then initial shooting. 

Police told NBC10 the stolen vehicle had SWAT gear and two rifles inside.

Around 8 p.m., police found the vehicle on Sunrise and Pennsylvania avenues in Deptford, New Jersey. The suspect was not inside, however, and police commenced a search of the area.

Police said the SWAT vehicle's back window was smashed but the two weapons were still inside. The SWAT gear was missing, however. Police also said Disanto may have been carrying his own weapon.

Several roads were blocked as police continued to search.

"Very scary," Amanda Ligameri of Deptford told NBC10. "I have a 7-year-old son and just hearing that someone potentially dangerous could be in my development that came from Philly with weapons, that's disturbing."

The crash and shooting occurred the same evening a police officer was grazed in the head when a gunman opened fire in North Philadelphia.

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