Four police cars damaged in overnight fires

Detectives are investigating after several Philadelphia Police Department vehicles were damaged in fires early Monday morning in Center City and University City.

No police officers or civilians were injured during the incidents, one of which involved a Molotov cocktail, authorities said. None of the vehicles were occupied.

A car parked on the 1000 block of Vine Street, near the 6th District police station in Chinatown, sustained damage to its hood, police said. Firefighters extinguished the flames at 1:45 a.m., authorities said.

About 10 minutes later, someone set fire to the left rear tire of a cruiser parked at 7th and Chestnut streets, according to police.

Then, at around 2:30 a.m., a police vehicle on the 3900 block of Chestnut Street in University City was set on fire, authorities said, and someone placed a Molotov cocktail on a car parked not far away on the 400 block of N. 39th Street, authorities said.

University of Pennsylvania security footage shows a white man wearing a flannel shirt fleeing the area following the West Philadelphia incidents, investigators said. He was seen carrying a backpack and riding a white Cannondale bicycle.

It’s unclear if one suspect set all four fires. Police have not speculated on a motive.