Five suspects busted in connection with carjacking of congresswoman

Four men and a woman were arrested in connection with the carjacking of Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon in Philadelphia on Wednesday.

The suspects were taken into custody and awaiting charges after Scanlon’s SUV was found near a Delaware mall Wednesday night, according to Fox 29.

“[Scanlon] thanks the Philadelphia Police Department for their swift response, and appreciates the efforts of both the Sergeant at Arms in D.C. and her local police department for coordinating with Philly PD to ensure her continued safety,” her office tweeted Wednesday afternoon.

The 62-year-old Democrat, who represents part of South Philly and its surrounding suburbs, was unharmed when a carjacker pulled a gun on her near FDR Park. The park is adjacent to Citizens Bank Park and the Wells Fargo Center, home to most of the city’s pro sports teams.

Two men in a dark-colored SUV demanded her keys, which she handed over, according to WPVI. Her personal cell phone, government-issued cell phone, purse and identification were inside her stolen SUV, the station said.

The broad daylight incident came as Philadelphia endured one of its most violent years. A record of 540 homicides had been recorded so far this year, police said earlier this week. Carjackings were also up 76 percent from 2020, cops reported on Dec. 9.

“I’m appalled to learn of this violent crime that was perpetrated against my friend and colleague, Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon,” Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney wrote after the stickup. “My thoughts are with her during what I’m sure is a traumatic time.”

“Everyone deserves to feel safe in our city, and sadly that hasn’t always been the case this year,” Kenney added. “It’s disheartening and infuriating that criminals feel emboldened to commit such a reckless crime in the middle of the day in what should be a place of peace — one of our city’s parks.”