PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The final suspect wanted for an assault on a police officer is officially in custody. Arthur Jones, 38, was arrested without incident at a hotel near Philadelphia International Airport where he had been hiding out, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
Jones is the fourth and final suspect sought in connection with an incident on May 12 in Philly’s Cecil B. Moore neighborhood. That’s when investigators say 42-year-old officer Eric Rodriguez was off-duty and headed home from work when his way was blocked by a car and a group of people. Officials say Rodriguez waited through a couple of traffic light cycles then honked his horn.
Some of the people approached him, and in the ensuing scuffle, Rodriguez was reportedly punched in the face and choked, and his gun was stolen.
Two men and a woman involved were taken into custody within a few days. On May 14 a warrant was issued for Jones’ arrest and the case was delegated to the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force.
For his alleged role, Jones faces charges including aggravated assault, robbery, and gun offenses.
“The public provided dozens of tips that ultimately made this arrest possible,” said Robert Clark, Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal for the Eastern Pennsylvania Violent Crime Fugitive Task Force.