Suspect arrested in wounding of police officer

A man was arrested Monday in the wounding of a police officer who was shot less than 24 hours earlier in West Philadelphia while chasing a pair of would-be car thieves.

Capt. James Clark, commander of the homicide unit, identified the suspect as Scott Griffin, 23, and said he was arrested by narcotics officers.

A weapon was recovered, Clark said.

He called the suspect a "dangerous individual" who had 14 prior arrests.

Police Commissioner Richard Ross had said earlier that detectives had strong leads in the hunt for the alleged shooter and Clark said investigators had an idea where to find Griffin.

A second suspect taken into custody Sunday night was identified as Samir Coyett, 20, of Overbrook. He has three prior arrests.  A third suspect arrested Sunday night has not been identified.

The wounded officer, James McCullough, in the meantime was expected to be released Monday from Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he was treated for a flesh wound to the left thigh.

Police said that just before 9 p.m. Sunday, McCullough and his partner were flagged down near Salford and Market Streets by a woman who said two men had broken into her car.

As the two officers approached the vehicle, two men got out and one opened fire, according to police.

McCullough fired back three times, but did not apparently hit anyone.

After tying a tourniquet to his leg, McCullough briefly gave chase, Ross said.

A two-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department, McCullough is assumed to the 18th District, the home district of Officer Jesse Hartnett, who was severely injured when he was shot in an ambush on Jan. 7.