Carjacker chased through W. Philly, arrested

A carjacker was chased through West Philadelphia Tuesday afternoon and eventually arrested with the help of two Verizon employees and a SEPTA worker, police said.

About 3 p.m. a 73-year-old man left a McDonald's on 52nd Street near Chestnut and pulled over his car to eat, when he was approached by Milford Austin, who was wielding a 10-inch knife, Lt. John Walker of the Southwest Detective Division said.

Walker gave this account:

Austin, 33, told the man to get out of the car, then grabbed him by his shirt. Austin got frustrated when the thin T-shirt and belt the man was wearing ripped and he lost his grip. Austin then grabbed the man by his waist, pulled him from the car and threw him onto the street before pulling off in the man's purple 2011 Kia Sorento. When Austin pulled out of the parking space, he hit another car and one of his own tires was flattened.

Two Verizon employees and a SEPTA employee saw the carjacking unfold, and chased Austin to 40th and Chestnut streets, where the car was no longer drivable.

One of the Verizon workers called police before the chase. When the car stopped, Austin jumped out and ran toward 40th and Market streets.

Police chased Austin on foot, took his knife and arrested him after a brief struggle.

Charges were Tuesday night.