Arrest made in cab theft

An Overbrook man faces carjacking charges after police say he took a taxi cab for a joyride through the city in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Albert Washington, 22, was arrested Thursday at his home on Malvern Avenue near 58th Street, police said. Washington allegedly stole an All City Cab from a Hess gas station on South Broad Street in Center City about 2:16 a.m.

The cab's driver told police that as he was fueling the vehicle, Washington pushed him aside and climbed into the driver's seat. The driver was able to grab ahold of the door's handle, but lost his grip as Washington sped away, police said.

About 20 minutes later, officers observed a taxi matching the description of the stolen vehicle run through a stop sign at 56th Street near Lebanon Avenue in Overbrook, almost striking the officers' cruiser.

The officers pursued Washington, who led them on a high-speed chase through Overbrook, speeding through multiple red lights in an attempt to evade them. Washington crashed the cab into a tree and several parked vehicles on Diamond Street near 56th, and fled on foot.

In addition to the carjacking charge, Washington also faces fleeing police and related offenses in the chase with the officers.