Philadelphia Police officer injured while pursuing suspect in stolen car

NORTH PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia Police Officer is being treated after getting hurt on duty Friday night while trying to stop a stolen car. 

It happened on the 1200 block of North 6th Street after 8 p.m. when a blue Honda Civic that had been spotted two other times earlier in the day, with police automatic license plate readers.

What we know:

The Philly Police Weekend Car Meet detail sorted the car as it got stuck in traffic at a stop light on North 6th. Officials say the driver refused to stop or role down the window, so the officer used a special device to break the glass.

As the officer reached in to try and turn off the ignition or pull the driver out, the car sideswiped a parked car and drove through the others stopped at the light, cutting the officers arms and injuring his leg.

A passenger jumped out and ran. Other officers then ran after him, but did not catch him. 

Police now believe the stolen blue Honda with a smashed driver-side window continued onto 6th Street, likely driving over the Ben Franklin Bridge to Camden.

The officer is expected to be okay.

What they're saying:

Philadelphia Police Inspector D.F. Pace said about the injured officer, "Just minor injuries." The officer was treated at an area hospital.

He continued, "Officers are very carefully trained to ensure that when they are confronting any vehicles that are attempting to elude, the key is safety. Certainly, we want to apprehend individuals in stolen cars or that are disobeying the law. These car meets, etcetera. However, there’s a balancing act here. We also have to concern ourselves with the safety of the public as well as we attempt to enforce the law."