A man is dead after his throat was slashed inside his Montgomery County home.
Richard Porter was discovered inside his home along the 400 block of Woodhill Road Friday morning in Upper Merion, Pa., police said.
Porter, 68, was found lying on his back in the living room of the home, Montogomery County D.A. Risa Vetri-Ferman said. He had injuries to his face and neck and a large amount of blood was splattered on the walls and floor.
The self-employed man's 2005 silver Chevy Tahoe was also missing from the driveway, authorities said.
Porter was a quiet man who lived alone in the home with his two dogs, friends said. He lived on his own ever since his wife of many years lost her battle with cancer a few years ago, they said.
Investigators have remained tightlipped about the murder, but sources say authorities are looking at a neighbor who had a long-standing dispute with the man.
A few hours after the discovery of Porter's body, Philadelphia Police spotted an SUV matching the description of the one being sought on the streets of Kensington.
Officer Christopher Brennan and his partner stopped the silver Tahoe at Kensington Avenue and Somerset Streets around 1:30 p.m. Friday. It was being driven by two men, police said.
After approaching the vehicle, Ofc. Brennan tried to pull the driver from the car, at which time the men began to flee, Lt. Frank Vanore said. The officer was partially pulled inside the car and dragged down the street.
"The officer and the suspect were actually pulled into the vehicle at one point in time," Lt. Vanore said.
The Tahoe traveled south on Kensington for about a block, when it crashed into a Ford F-150 at Lehigh Avenue. Both Ofc. Brennan and the driver were thrown from the SUV, police said.
The second man fled the scene after the accident and is still on the loose.
Both Ofc. Brennan and the driver were taken to Temple University Hospital in North Philadelphia. The officer suffered injuries to his neck and back and was last listed in stable, but good condition, Lt. Vanore said.
The 24-year-old driver, named by sources as James Nicolai, was also taken to Temple, but there's no word on his injuries or condition. He is being held for assault upon an officer.
Two women driving in the F-150 were also hurt in the crash. They were taken to hospital, but their conditions are unknown.
Back in Upper Merion, authorities are continuing to investigate the crime and no charges have been filed in the case.
But sources say Nicolai is being considered a suspect in the murder.
