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SW Phila. Man Charged With Hijacking Taxicab, Fleeing Police After Crash

By Kim Glovas

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia police have arrested a man in connection with the carjacking of a taxicab early Wednesday morning.

Police say 22-year-old Albert Washington was arrested shortly after the carjacking, but not before crashing the cab and fleeing to his home near 58th and Malvern Avenue, in Southwest Philadelphia.

According to investigators, an All City Cab driver pulled into the Hess gas station about 2:15am near Broad and South Streets.  The taxi driver told police a man came up behind him, pushed him out of the way, got into the cab, and sped off.

The carjacker hit one of the gas pumps as he was pulling out.

The taxi fled north on Broad Street.   About 15 minutes later, police saw an All City cab drive through a stop sign on 56th Street at Lebanon Avenue, almost striking a marked police car.

Police turned on sirens and lights and pursued the cab.  The taxi blew through several traffic lights, then crashed into a tree and several parked cars at 56th and Diamond, and the carjacker fled on foot.

Police arrested Washington at his home yesterday.  He is charged with carjacking, fleeing police, and related crimes.

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