Monday, July 21, 2008

A little street justice in Upper Darby

Upper Darby top cop Mike Chitwood has a reputation as being a no-nonsense kind of guy. He speaks in fairly plain terms about some of the people he encounters in his line of work.

But Saturday night Chitwood and his officers were beaten to the punch. Literally.

Police were investigating a fatal stabbing that occurred on Atlantic Avenue in the township’s Stonehurst section.

A barbecue Saturday night turned tragic. Police say a 44-year-old man plunged a knife into his girlfriend during an argument.

But the woman’s family apparently got to the guy before authorities did.

A female officer who was guarding the crime scene observed several people getting into a car at about 4 a.m. She followed them to a service station at 69th Street and Marshall Road. That’s where they caught up with the man who police believe stabbed their loved one.

Police say the group set upon Keith “Butch” Thomas, 44, and were in the process of doling out some “street justice,” pummeling and kicking the suspect.

Officers managed to break it up, but not before the family of victim Diane Barrow got their pound of flesh. Chitwood believes the situation likely would have been even more severe if officers had not intervened. Two officers suffered injuries during the melee.

No charges have been filed against any of the family members. Thomas is charged with murder, aggravated assault and weapons offenses.

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