Two more persons have been arrested in connection with the shooting murder of a Philadelphia police officer last week as he arrived for work at Philadelphia International Airport.
On Tuesday, police detained Alexander Batista-Polanco, 21, of Camden, New Jersey, and on Wednesday, Hendrick Pena-Fernandez, 21, of Pennsauken, New Jersey. Yobranny Martinez-Fernandez, 18, was brought into police custody on Monday, according to Fox Philadelphia.
“I said that we would get you, and we did just that,” Interim Police Commissioner John Stanford said.
Authorities suspect the three individuals are responsible for the death of Officer Richard Mendez, 50, and the injury of Officer Raul Ortiz. Jes Hernán Madera Durán, a fourth suspect, died immediately after Mendez was shot.
Batista-Polanco and Martinez-Fernandez have been charged with a variety of violent offences, including murder, attempted criminal homicide of a law enforcement officer, criminal homicide of a law enforcement officer, assault on a law enforcement officer, and robbery.
Pena-Fernandez’s charges have yet to be disclosed.
Authorities said Mendez and Ortiz were arriving at an airport parking garage before their shift when they heard glass smashing. According to authorities, the couple responded and witnessed a vehicle break-in.
One of the suspects allegedly fired the cops while they were attempting to capture another suspect. A weapon was not found.
The policemen did not fire their weapons, according to authorities.
