5 arrested for Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon carjacking in Philadelphia after being ‘pulled over in Dem’s stolen car’

DEMOCRATIC Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon’s vehicle was found with five people inside hours after she was carjacked in a Philadelphia park Wednesday.

Delaware State Police and the FBI pulled over the vehicle near The Christiana Mall, authorities say.

State police confirmed that the five suspects were taken into custody. It’s unclear if all of them had some involvement during the incident.

In a statement, Scanlon’s office said she “thanks the Philadelphia Police Department for their swift response, and appreciates the efforts of both the Sergeant at Arms in D.C. and her local police department for coordinating with Philly PD to ensure her continued safety.”

The Pennsylvania congresswoman was not injured during the theft, but two armed men reportedly stole her car, purse, wallet and two cell phones.

“Wednesday afternoon, at around 2:45 p.m., Congresswoman Scanlon was carjacked at gunpoint in FDR Park following a meeting at that location,” said Scanlon’s office.

“The Congresswoman was physically unharmed. She thanks the Philadelphia Police Department for their swift response, and appreciates the efforts of both the Sergeant at Arms in D.C. and her local police department for coordinating with Philly PD to ensure her continued safety.” 

Philadelphia police said in a statement that Rep Scanlon “was walking to her car when she was approached by two unknown Black males approximately 20-30 years of age.”

“The armed approached the victim and demanded the keys to her vehicle.

“The victim handed the keys to her vehicle, at which point one of the two offenders drove off in the victim’s vehicle.

“The second offender entered a second dark-colored SUV and followed Offender #1.”

Aside from Scanlon’s personal cell phone, the robbers also took her government cell phone which was found inside the vehicle when it was recovered.

The two-term congresswoman represents Pennsylvania’s 5th Congressional District, which includes south Philadelphia, where the robbery took place.

The city of Philadelphia has recently experienced a surge in crime.

According to the the city currently has a homicide rate of more than 500 a year – the highest since 1990.

Philadelphia mayor Jim Kenney said in a statement he is “appalled to learn of this violent crime that was perpetrated against my friend and Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon.”

Kenney’s statement continued: “Everyone deserves to feel safe in our city, and sadly, as we know, that hasn’t always been the case this year.

It’s disheartening, and quite frankly infuriating, that criminals feel emboldened to commit such a reckless crime in the middle of the day in what should be a place of tranquility and peace—one of Philadelphia’s beautiful parks.

“I’m thankful that she was not physically harmed during this incident, and my thoughts are with her during what I’m sure is a traumatic time.”

Rep Scanlon was elected in 2018 and sits on the House Judiciary Committee, the House Rules Committee, and the House Administration Committee.

ANOTHER CARJACKING?

Another reported carjacking took place at in Pittsburgh.

The suspect allegedly forced the driver from his Jeep and backed into another SUV before feeling the scene on foot.

The suspect is still at large but the victim wasn’t hurt. 

Multiple officers are at the scene of the mall.