PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Philadelphia man now faces attempted murder charges after he allegedly took police on a wild goose chase through the Northeast and fired at officers.
Philadelphia police spotted a unique-looking Jeep along Ditman Street near Knorr Street in Tacony around 5:30 p.m. Thursday evening. They believed Tajan Durham, the suspect in the Jeep, may have been connected to a recent homicide and armed robbery investigation.
Officers went up to the car when, they say, Durham took off. They followed, and a chase ensued.
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Authorities said Durham, 28, drove the Jeep to the corner of St. Vincent and Hawthorne streets in Mayfair and fired several rounds at police, but took off again.
When the Jeep reached Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard, it crashed. Officials say Durham jumped, again fired at police, and ran to a nearby shopping center. He allegedly tossed a gun on the roof and ducked under a car to hide.
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Eventually, officers arrested him and got a look inside his car, where they said they found another gun, bullets and a bulletproof vest.
Durham has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, assault of a law enforcement officer, and several gun offenses.
Police noted they didn’t fire their guns once, and no one was hurt.
Editor’s update, April 8, 2025:
Durham pleaded guilty in September 2024 to four counts of aggravated assault and a weapons charge. Judge Monica Gibbs sentenced Durham in March 2025 to 10 to 20 years in prison.