Police say a veteran officer responding to a robbery call was almost strangled by the suspect in suburban Philadelphia.
The Delaware County Daily Times reports it happened Saturday morning while Upper Darby Officer Jeffrey Thrash was responding to a robbery call from Millbourne.
Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood says Thrash spotted 26-year-old Elija Lamar Clark and told the man stop. He says Clark took off his shirt, came toward the officer and almost choked him to death.
Chitwood says Thrash was able to push the panic button on his radio for backup and it took three officers to get Clark off of Thrash.
Clark was held on $50,000 bail on charges including attempted murder and aggravated assault.
It's unclear if Clark has an attorney.
