On Sunday around 230 a.m., a Harrisburg Police Officer noticed a car driving at a high rate of speed in the 600 block of Maclay St. The car went north and the officer lost sight of it after trying to catch up to it.
Around two hours later, the officer saw the same car near North Sixth and Maclay Streets. The driver took off at a high rate of speed once again.
However, the officer was able to get it stopped in the 2100 block of Jefferson St. The driver and passenger got out, refusing the officer’s order to remain in the car.
The passenger leaned over and picked up a revolver from the roadway next to the car. The officer ordered him to drop the gun but the passenger ran off with the handgun.
The officer relayed his situation to other officers and tried to catch the passenger. The man rounded a building and the officer heard a shot. He stopped his foot chase.
At the same time, the driver got into the car and took off at a high rate of speed going east on Maclay St. Other responding officers were not able to locate the car or the gunman.
The officers checked the path taken by the fleeing gunman. A revolver was found. It was loaded and had one spent casing. A cell phone was found on the roadway where the man had first picked up the handgun.
At about 545 a,m., an officer from the Susquehanna Township Police contacted Harrisburg Police and reported that he had located the fleeing car and had the driver in custody. The man was identified as Carlos Smith.
He was alone in the car, which is owned by his girlfriend. He reportedly was located a short time after a high speed chase. He was returning the car to his girlfriend at her place of work, knowing that he was going to be in trouble.
Carlos Smith identified the man who fired the shot by the nickname ‘Reem’. He claimed that he didn’t know him, had just met him in a local bar and was giving him a ride.
Harrisburg Detective O’Connor investigated the incident and interviewed Carlos Smith, who maintained his account. Other witness information revealed that James Porter was the man with the gun. Det. O’Connor confirmed the identity through witnesses and the victim officer.
Det. O’Connor, directed by cooperating witnesses, went to a bar in the Uptown section of the City and found Porter. He and Det. Kennedy took Porter into custody. Porter was in possession of crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia.
Det. O’Connor was also able to establish that Smith and Porter know one another rather well. Smith is also being charged with hindering apprehension.
The gun ownership is being checked and more charges may be filed. Smith’s girlfriend faces possible charges for allowing Smith to use her car.
Smith and Porter are both in the Dauphin County Prison in lieu of bail.
Carlos Smith is charged with recklessly endangering another person, escape, driving under suspension, fleeing and eluding, driving without lights, reckless driving and hindering apprehension.
James Porter is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, carrying a firearm without a license, person not to possess a firearm, possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The investigation continues and anyone having any information on this is asked to contact Det. John O’Connor at 717-255-3175 or email joconnor@cityofhbg.com or Sgt. Deric Moody at 717-255-3156 or email dmoody@cityofhbg.com.
Around two hours later, the officer saw the same car near North Sixth and Maclay Streets. The driver took off at a high rate of speed once again.
However, the officer was able to get it stopped in the 2100 block of Jefferson St. The driver and passenger got out, refusing the officer’s order to remain in the car.
The passenger leaned over and picked up a revolver from the roadway next to the car. The officer ordered him to drop the gun but the passenger ran off with the handgun.
The officer relayed his situation to other officers and tried to catch the passenger. The man rounded a building and the officer heard a shot. He stopped his foot chase.
At the same time, the driver got into the car and took off at a high rate of speed going east on Maclay St. Other responding officers were not able to locate the car or the gunman.
The officers checked the path taken by the fleeing gunman. A revolver was found. It was loaded and had one spent casing. A cell phone was found on the roadway where the man had first picked up the handgun.
At about 545 a,m., an officer from the Susquehanna Township Police contacted Harrisburg Police and reported that he had located the fleeing car and had the driver in custody. The man was identified as Carlos Smith.
He was alone in the car, which is owned by his girlfriend. He reportedly was located a short time after a high speed chase. He was returning the car to his girlfriend at her place of work, knowing that he was going to be in trouble.
Carlos Smith identified the man who fired the shot by the nickname ‘Reem’. He claimed that he didn’t know him, had just met him in a local bar and was giving him a ride.
Harrisburg Detective O’Connor investigated the incident and interviewed Carlos Smith, who maintained his account. Other witness information revealed that James Porter was the man with the gun. Det. O’Connor confirmed the identity through witnesses and the victim officer.
Det. O’Connor, directed by cooperating witnesses, went to a bar in the Uptown section of the City and found Porter. He and Det. Kennedy took Porter into custody. Porter was in possession of crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia.
Det. O’Connor was also able to establish that Smith and Porter know one another rather well. Smith is also being charged with hindering apprehension.
The gun ownership is being checked and more charges may be filed. Smith’s girlfriend faces possible charges for allowing Smith to use her car.
Smith and Porter are both in the Dauphin County Prison in lieu of bail.
Carlos Smith is charged with recklessly endangering another person, escape, driving under suspension, fleeing and eluding, driving without lights, reckless driving and hindering apprehension.
James Porter is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, carrying a firearm without a license, person not to possess a firearm, possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The investigation continues and anyone having any information on this is asked to contact Det. John O’Connor at 717-255-3175 or email joconnor@cityofhbg.com or Sgt. Deric Moody at 717-255-3156 or email dmoody@cityofhbg.com.