4th suspect in attack on Philadelphia officer arrested – NBC10 Philadelphia

U.S. Marshals have arrested the fourth suspect in the attack on an off-duty Philadelphia police officer.

On Tuesday, May 28, at approximately 11:30 a.m., investigators with the Philadelphia Marshals Fugitive Task Force determined that Arthur Jones, 38, was hiding at a hotel in Southwest Philadelphia. Officers arrived at the hotel and Jones surrendered without incident, investigators said.

Attack on off-duty officer

Jones was wanted by Philadelphia police on charges of aggravated assault, robbery and firearm possession in connection with the attack and theft of a firearm from an off-duty Philadelphia police officer earlier in May.

Officer Eric Rodriguez 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 at 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 as he sat in his car , investigators said.

Rodriguez then exited the vehicle and identified himself as a police officer. Dennis allegedly pulled out a gun and held it at his side.

Rodriguez and Dennis then fought to get the gun back, police said. At the same time, a man, later identified as Yusef Coleman, 24, approached Rodriguez from behind and put him in a headlock, investigators said.

Coleman was also armed and Rodriguez began fighting with him over the gun, police said. Rodriguez managed to push the gun away and the magazine fell out, investigators said. Rodriguez then fired the remaining shot. No one was hit by the gunfire, police said.

“The firearm that he's struggling with, he has his hand on it. The offender has his hand on it. At one point he's able to dislodge the magazine. It was an extended magazine,” the commissioner said Philadelphia Police Deputy Frank Vanore. “But the officer, through his training, knows there’s another trick in the room.”

Dennis then pointed the gun at Rodriguez and demanded he drop the gun, police said. At the same time, a nearby bar had just closed its doors and a crowd of a dozen people arrived on the scene, according to police. Investigators said Rodriguez was then beaten by several people and his personal gun was stolen from its holster.

A duty officer then arrived on 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 facial injuries and bruising, police said.

Detectives reviewed 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 usually frequented.

Later that afternoon, Coleman and the black BMW were found at G and Hilton streets.

Coleman was taken into custody. He is charged with criminal conspiracy, aggravated assault, assault on a law enforcement officer, grand larceny, theft by unlawful taking, weapons violations and related offenses.

Later that day, three women who investigators believe were involved in the incident arrived at 10 p.m.^sd District Police Headquarters and spoke with the police. No charges have been filed against them, but it is unclear at this time whether they will face charges.

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

A third suspect in the incident, Khamil Brown, 24, was arrested 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 gun.

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

Once fully recovered from his injuries, he will be placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the Internal Affairs investigation.

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