Man arrested in hijack of taxi

PHILADELPHIA Police have arrested an Overbrook man who allegedly hijacked a taxi, but didn't get very far.

It all began about 2:15 a.m. Wednesday, when an All City Cab taxi pulled up to the Hess station at 615 S. Broad St. in South Philadelphia and the driver got out to make his way to the cashier booth. At that point, police said, Washington, 22, of the 5800 block of Malvern Avenue, got inside the cab and started to take off. The cabbie tried to hold onto the driver's door but let go when the vehicle sideswiped one of the pumps.

About 15 minutes later, police spotted the stolen cab near 56th Street and Lebanon Avenue in Overbrook and gave pursuit. The chase ended quickly at 56th and Diamond Streets, but only after the cab had crashed into several parked vehicles and a tree. The driver took off and police lost track of him. But not for long.

Washington was arrested the next day at his home, which is less than a mile from where the pursuit ended, and charged with carjacking, fleeing police and related offenses.

- Inquirer staff