Stray Bullet Murder Suspect Escapes in Cop Car

Handcuffed teen jumps in front seat and drives back to Chester

By VINCE LATTANZIO

Updated 7:00 AM EST, Fri, Nov 20, 2009

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Delaware County Prison

A 17-year old murder suspect managed to delay his trip to prison, by stealing the police car he was riding inside.

Abdul Johnson was handcuffed in the backseat of an unmarked Delaware County police car outside the county jail when he made his way into the front seat and drove away just after 4 p.m. Thursday, police said.

His two escorts were outside the vehicle, securing their weapons when the teen made a break for it.

The teen sped through four Delco townships along Route 322 on his way back to Chester. Authorities caught up with the car and Johnson at Sixth and Highland Streets after he crashed into a home.

Dominique Smith, 19, is one of two teens charged...

Murder Suspect Escapes, Crashes Cop Car

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Murder Suspect Escapes, Crashes Cop Car

Johnson and 19-year old Dominique Smith are facing First Degree Murder charges for the death of Kathy Stewart.

Stewart, 49, was sleeping in a front bedroom at her mother's home along 300 block of Franklin Street in Chester Tuesday when a stray bullet struck her in the head. She later died of her injuries.