Drug chase in N. Phila. leads to melee, complaints
Police officials are investigating claims that narcotics cops used excessive force on a crowd of people in North Philadelphia on Saturday.
Police officials are investigating claims that narcotics cops used excessive force on a crowd of people in North Philadelphia on Saturday.
The incident started at about 9 p.m., when the officers chased a drug suspect onto Master Street near 24th and encountered a large group of people who were at a party, police sources said.
A melee soon unfolded when members of the crowd started to struggle with the officers, who were still in pursuit of the suspect, the sources said.
Several partygoers filed complaints, claiming that they had been assaulted by the officers. At least one officer reported that he had been choked, sources said.
Two people were arrested at the scene.
The case is being investigated by police Internal Affairs. *
- David Gambacorta & Dafney Tales
