2 PA State Troopers Hurt After Stolen Vehicle Crash In Delco

TINICUM TOWNSHIP, PA — A stolen vehicle crashed into a Pennsylvania State Police vehicle Saturday morning in Delaware County, injuring two troopers and ending with the arrest of two men, authorities said.

Claren Thomas, 21, of Glenolden and Myron Bell, 21, of Upper Chichester, were taken into custody Saturday in Tinicum Township after a chase on Interstate 95 south, state police said.

The incident began at about 1:28 a.m. when troopers stationed in Media tried to stop a red Subaru Impreza after the troopers' on-board computer system indicated the vehicle was stolen as it drove past them.

Police stopped the vehicle, and while the driver, later identified as Thomas, stopped, he then sped off when troopers got out of their vehicle, police said.

During a chase with the vehicle, troopers used spike strips to deflate the vehicle's front passenger tired.

The Impreza went about another half mile before crashing into the back of another state police vehicle.

Thomas was taken into custody after resisting arrest, and Bell was taken into custody without incident.

Police confirmed the vehicle was stolen and found two guns in it. One of the firearms was modified with an automatic "switch," authorities said.

Two troopers in the vehicle that was struck were taken to Christiana Hospital in Delaware, where they were treated for their injuries and released.

Thomas is charged with two counts of felony aggravated assault, firearm violations, fleeing police, receiving stolen property, resisting arrest, and more crimes. Bell was charged with felony conspiracy to commit receiving stolen property, and conspiracy to commit firearm violations, among other crimes.

Thomas was held after failing to post $150,000 bail, and Bell was also held after failing to post 10 percent of $100,000 bail, according to court documents.

Both are scheduled for Sept. 29 preliminary hearings, court records show.