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Police Officer Killing Suspect Eric Floyd Arrested

Last Edited: Thursday, 08 May 2008, 4:10 PM EDT
Created: Thursday, 08 May 2008, 6:39 AM EDT


The third and final suspect wanted in connection with a bank robbery that led to the killing of Philadelphia police sergeant Steven Liczbinski goes before a judge Thursday afternoon to hear the charges against him.

33-year-old Eric Floyd was found asleep with his girlfriend just after 11:00 p.m. in an abandoned row home in the 5400-block of Windsor Street in the Kingsessing section of southwest Philadelphia Wednesday night.

Police say the two had been in contact daily since the killing, but don't know if they had been staying together or hooked up afterwards.

Police have identified Floyd's girlfriend as 37-year-old Tonya Lynne Stephens. She's charged with obstructing justice, hindering apprehension, and conspiracy.

Investigators credit the public's help and good police work for hemming Floyd in. Sources tell Fox Philadelphia that police received a tip from a drug dealer on the same street who told them where they might find Floyd. Police chose not to go to the caller's house first. Had they done so, that may have tipped off Floyd, allowing him time to escape.

Instead, a squad of officers stealthily rolled into the neighborhood and took up positions around the house for the takedown. Residents knew something was up.

"About six or seven vans pull up and the officers jumped out the vans and grabbed their guns and rifles and were running up and down the street," said one witness.

Floyd gave himself up without resistance and was taken to police headquarters in a 24th Police District van, wearing the handcuffs of slain officer Sgt. Liczbinski. (Sgt. Liczbinksi was assigned to the 24th Police District). His girlfriend was also brought in a short time later.

Mayor Michael Nutter, Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, FBI agents and Philadelphia police officers were all present as Floyd was unloaded from the van.



"I had to look in the face of a guy who would do something like that. Quite frankly, as one African American male to another… how disappointed I was in what he had done," said Nutter. "You just wonder- for what? Why did you do that? There's no explanation. He will pay a heavy debt, but no where near as heavy as the rest of the Liczbinski family."

Commissioner Ramsey called the widow of Sgt. Liczbinski to let her know Floyd was in custody. During that call, he says she thanked him and passed the word to other family members, then heard a loud cheer in the background.

Authorities received more than 100 tips, aided by a reward that swelled to more than $150,000.

His other alleged accomplice, Levon Warner, is in custody. The third man believed involved, Howard Cain, was killed by police Saturday.

On Tuesday, police arrested and charged 19-year-old Levi Swigart of Duncannon, Perry County. They say he provided a stolen handgun used by one of the suspects in the bank robbery.

Officers tell Fox Philadelphia they are extremely relieved to have all of the suspects in custody in advance of the slain officer's funeral Friday.