Man wanted for hitting Philly cop with car

A man allegedlyused his vehicle to hit a police officer on Monday night, police said.

Maurice Taylor, 26, was identified by police as the driver of a VolkswagenPassat used to hit a 17th district officer on Monday night while fleeing police. Officers were still seeking Taylor as of Tuesday evening.

According to police, officers were in the area responding to reports of a person with a weapon when they approached Taylor, who fled into his vehicle.

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“They observed two males who fit the flash information of a black male wearing a black coat,” a police news release states.”After attempting to verify that the first male was not involved in the disturbance; officer(s) attempted to stop the second male, as he entered a Silver 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The male disregarded all verbal commands from the officer to stop and started his vehicle and sped down the 2700 block of Earp Streetwas driving with a young woman and a boy in the car.”

Taylor allegedly turned the wrongway eastbound on Sears Street, where he struck an officer, sending him flying into a parked car.

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“As the male sped the wrong way on Sears Street, the officer motioned for the male to stop the vehicle; however, the male increased his speed and struck the officer throwing him into a parked vehicle,” the police report states.

Taylor allegedly continued”to drive erratically and disregard traffic control devices” before police gave up the pursuit.

Several blocks away at 22nd and Annin streets, an 18-year-old woman and 11-year-old boy who had both been in the car were found, who said the driver was a “family acquaintance.”

The struck police officer was transported to Jefferson Hospital for his injuries, police said.

Anyone with information about Taylor’s whereabouts is being asked to call215-686-3013 or 911.