NBC10-TV News Philadelphia
A bank robber made a daring escape from Philadelphia police Tuesday after he dashed into a subway station and accidentally set off a dye pack laced with pepper spray.
Witnesses said the man came into the Prudential Savings Bank at 1700 South Broad Street around 12:30 p.m. with a paper bag, set it on the counter and said he had a bomb in it.
Then, he came running out of the bank with a bagful of money. Police chased after the man as he entered the subway station at Broad and Morris Streets in South Philadelphia.
However, pursuing police and dozens of others in the subway station soon got eyefuls of pepper spray after a red dye pack laced with the substance exploded in a moneybag.
“It immediately takes your breath away,” said one officer who was at the scene.
The robber was able to make his getaway out of another subway entrance during the chase.
Officers said they found some of the suspect’s clothes, which he pulled off after the dye pack exploded on him.
They also confirmed the bag he brought into the bank by the man didn’t have a bomb in it.
Two officers sent to the hospital because of the pepper spray were treated and released. Several bystanders were also treated at the scene.
The FBI said it has a picture of the suspect caught on videotape.
He was described at 5'9", about 175 pounds, with short red hair, freckles, pale, and about 30 years old.
The FBI said there may be a connection to another bank robbery on Sept. 1 in South Philadelphia.