Philadelphia police are now searching for people who were involved in an illegal car meetup back in September. Along with vandalism and reckless behavior, some of them are also accused of punching a woman and striking her with traffic cones after she confronted them for standing on top of her vehicle. NBC10’s Siobhan McGirl spoke with her and has the latest on the investigation.
Philadelphia police are looking to identify several suspects who brutally attacked a woman during a rowdy illegal car meetup a few weeks ago.
According to police, back on Sept. 22, 2024, around 1:30 a.m., a car meetup took place at 25th St. and Washington Ave.
This car meetup resulted in hundreds of people and vehicles flooding the area, police said. The crowd even vandalized private property in the neighborhood.
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Surveillance video provided by police shows a group of individuals -- who were involved in the meetup -- punching and throwing traffic cones at a woman who tried to confront them after she saw people standing on top of her vehicle.
Police said during the assault, some of the suspects were seen armed with firearms.
NBC10 spoke to the victim, Lisa Jourdan, who said when she saw them on her vehicle, she decided to say something.
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“Some girl who wasn’t even part of the conversation came up, sucker punched me, and I went down," said Jourdan.
Jourdan added that when the crowds started to disperse, someone pulled a gun out at her, and then police said he shot into the air.
“And he was just sort of laughing sort of maniacally with it. Then he got in his car and took off. And I was left here standing going what in the world just happened right out of my home," said Jourdan.
Police said if you see these suspects, do not approach them and contact 911 immediately. However, if you have any information about these crimes or the suspects, you are urged to contact South Detective Division at 215-686-3013/3014.
“They need to pay for what they did. Every single one of them. Picking up a cone to throw at a 50 year old woman. Come on,” said Jourdan.
This car meetup was one of several that took place between the night of Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, and the early morning hours of Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024.
Commissioner Bethel and Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore announced they've made a total of nine arrests so far in connection to the car meetups.
Also, during a recent press conference, Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner Mike Cram provided an update on the department's initiative to crack down on illegal dirt bikes and ATVs on city streets.
According to Cram, 949 illegal vehicles have been confiscated in Philadelphia this year, compared to 186 in 2023 and 218 in 2022.
Cram also said they've made more than 158 arrests and recovered 32 guns -- 15 of which were illegal -- as part of the crackdown this year.
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