Cops: South Street police station vandalized, anarchist propaganda found at scene
Smoke grenades, bottles filled with red paint and hammers were used to commit vandalism at the station, authorities said.
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A Philadelphia Police mini station on South Street was vandalized Thursday night and the windows of two vehicles were heavily damaged by 10 to 12 people who were caught on camera running from the scene, authorities said.
"Anarchist/anti-police propaganda pamphlets were also strewn" on the street near the station, police said in a news release.
Officers were inside of the mini station on the 900 block of South Street in South Philadelphia about 11:10 p.m. Thursday when they heard a disturbance outside and went to investigate. They found a police van with damage to its windshield and a police cruiser with its windows smashed and a hammer lodged into the windshield.
Police said a "firework-style smoke grenade" was set off in front of the station, resulting in a blue stain on the sidewalk. Glass bottles filled with red paint were also thrown against the building, causing large paint splatters.
No one was injured and no arrests had been made. Police declined to detail the nature of the anarchist pamphlets found at the scene.
A Philadelphia Police officer shared photos of the damage in a public Facebook post since turned private. He said the suspects were wearing black masks, and that masks and clothing were found blocks away from the scene. A police spokesman declined to confirm those details.
Anyone with information on the vandalism can call the police tip line at 215-686-8477.