Man who stole ATV and delivery car shot dead by police

A man who was shot to death by cops in Germantown last night started his evening on a stolen ATV and ended it in a stolen delivery driver's car, according to police.

Two uniformed officers in an unmarked car spotted LeSean Rinehart, 28, on a stolen Yamaha ATV around 11 p.m. Saturday on Nedro Street near Kemble, said Lt. Ray Evers, police spokesman.

When the cops tried to initiate a stop, Rinehart allegedly fled on foot and both officers pursued him in kind around the corner to Kemble Street, Evers said.

There, Rinehart saw a 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer that a deliveryman had left running and unattended while he delivered food to a nearby house, according to police. Rinehart jumped in that car and drove forward, striking one of the officers on foot, police said. That cop, in turn, fired two shots at Rinehart, Evers said.

Unfazed, Rinehart reversed the vehicle, hit another car and nearly struck the other officer who was on foot behind him, police said. That cop fired once and struck Rinehart in the stomach, Evers said. Rinehart was taken to Albert Einstein Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 11:42 p.m.

The officer who was struck by the vehicle was taken to the same hospital where he was treated for contusions, abrasions and leg injuries and later released. The other cop was unharmed.

Police said numerous interviews were conducted with neighborhood residents, who confirmed the events. Evers said Rinehart had six prior arrests, including three for firearms violations, although he did not have a weapon on him at the time of his death.