PHILADELPHIA — Pennsylvania Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon was unhurt after she was carjacked Wednesday afternoon in Philadelphia.
Scanlon, 62, a Democrat representing the 5th District, was walking to her parked vehicle in FDR Park in the South Philadelphia section of the city when she was approached by two men driving a dark-colored SUV, WPVI-TV reported.
Both men, who were armed, demanded the keys to her vehicle, police told the television station. The men drove away with Scanlon’s blue 2017 Acura.
Statement from the Office of Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon on today's incident: pic.twitter.com/fomScnWUXo
— Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (@RepMGS) December 22, 2021
The men also took Scanlon’s personal cellphone, federal cellphone and identification, her office confirmed to WCAU-TV.
“The congresswoman was physically unharmed,” Lauren Cox, Scanlon’s spokesperson, said in a statement. “She 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.”
Scanlon’s congressional district includes part of South Philadelphia. She has been a member of the House since 2019.
She currently sits on the House Judiciary Committee, along with the House Rules Committee and the House Administration Committee, CNN reported.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said he was “appalled” to learn about the carjacking.
“It’s disheartening, and quite frankly infuriating, that criminals feel emboldened to commit such a reckless crime in the middle of the day in what should be a place of tranquility and peace-one of Philadelphia’s beautiful parks,” Kenney said in a statement. “My thoughts are with her during what I’m sure is a traumatic time.”
Scanlon’s vehicle was found in Delaware on Wednesday night near the Christiana Mall in Newark, WTXF-TV reported. State Police said four males and a female were taken into custody, but did not provide any other details.
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