May 4, 2008 5:00 am US/Eastern
Manhunt Continues For Suspect In Officer's Death
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
A massive police manhunt is underway for a third suspect in connection with the death of a Philadelphia Police sergeant during a robbery in Port Richmond over the weekend.
Authorities said 33-year-old Eric Floyd of Berks County remains at large following a shootout that claimed the life of Philadelphia Police Sergeant Stephen Liczbinski Saturday morning.
"Eric Floyd, turn yourself in," Mayor Michael Nutter said during a Monday news conference.
On Sunday, police charged 38-year-old Levon Warner of North Philadelphia with murder, robbery, conspiracy and related offenses in connection with Officer Liczbinski's death. A third suspect, 33-year-old Howard Cain, was fatally shot by police.
Authorities said the armed suspects entered the Bank of America inside a Shop Rite near Aramingo and Castor Avenues at 11:26 a.m. Saturday.
"They were determined. They were determined to get what they wanted and they were obviously after something," said an eyewitness. "They had hospital masks on. We were kind of alarmed at the fact they had those on."
As the suspects fled the scene, the store manager was able to record their license plate and relay it to police.
Police said 39-year-old Sergeant Liczbinski, a 12-year veteran with the 24th District, confronted the fleeing suspects a short distance away in the 2600 block of Schiller Street.
Sgt. Liczbinski was apparently ambushed as he exited his patrol car. Police said one of the suspects opened fire with an assault rifle.
"At least one of the males fired shots striking and fatally wounding Sgt. Liczbinski," Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said.
Sgt. Liczbinski was rushed to Temple University Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries early Saturday afternoon.
After a brief pursuit, the suspects were confronted a second time on the 500 block of E. Louden Street in the Juniata section of the city. Witnesses said the confrontation was violent.
One suspect, 33-year-old Howard Cain of North Philadelphia, was fatally wounded in the shootout. Levon Warner of West Philadelphia was later taken into custody and charged in the robbery and officer's death.
Police recovered a high-powered assault rifle, several rounds of ammunition, $38,000 in cash and several pieces of clothing that the suspects allegedly wore as disguises.
Mayor Nutter and Police Commissioner Ramsey asked resident to offer their support to the fallen officer's family and declared a 30-day period of mourning.
"I ask that we rally around this family, wrap our arms around them, keep them in our prayers. They will need ongoing help and support as we grapple with what has happened here today and I just want to express my own personal sympathies to this family and thank the officer for his long hard work for the Philadelphia Police Department," Mayor Nutter said.
Sergeant Liczbinski is survived by a wife, two sons and a daughter.
"Right now we just have to pray for the family and stay strong for the Liczbinski family and be there for them for whatever they need," FOP President James McNesby said.
A viewing is scheduled for Thursday night at the Givnish Funeral Home on Academy Road in Northeast Philadelphia. Sgt. Liczbinski's funeral will be held at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul at noon on Friday.
DONATE: Liczbinski Family Trust Fund
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