Video Released Of Cop Assault Suspect

PHILADELPHIA - Police released surveillance video Wednesday morning of a shoplifting suspect who assaulted an officer inside a South Philly pharmacy Tuesday night.

Slideshow: Suspect In Rite Aid Shoplifting, Cop Assault

Lt. Douglas Stanford of the 1st District was attacked shortly before 6 p.m. at the Rite Aid store located at South 15th Street and West Moyamensing Avenue.

Stanford, a 29-year veteran of the department, suffered two broken ribs and a bruised lung. He was upgraded overnight from critical condition to stable condition at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Police said the man was inside the Rite Aid store for roughly 30 minutes. Employees said they spotted him putting candy bars into his backpack as well as some over-the-counter medications.

Stanford approached the man, tried to put handcuffs on him and they got into a scuffle that began inside the store, moved outside and then wound up back inside, police said.

That's where eyewitnesses tell police the man essentially body-slammed the lieutenant to the ground and landed on top of him.

Police are still searching for the attacker, who was described as a black male, 5 feet 11 inches to 6 feet 1inch tall, about 200 pounds and between the ages of 30 and 40. He was reported to be wearing a striped shirt, black sneakers, black and white shorts or Capri-style pants down to about his knees and a baseball cap.

Anyone with information on his identity or whereabouts should call 911.