Police Quietly Clear Radical Group From House in Chester, Pa., by Using Tear Gas
While a police siege of the West Philadelphia headquarters of the group MOVE exploded in violence and fire, police quietly cleared a house occupied by the radical group in Chester.
Police said the raid coincided with the Philadelphia assault mainly to prevent MOVE members from seeking refuge at the Chester residence, about 20 miles southeast.
Police tossed tear gas into the second and third floors of the house at 6:12 a.m. Monday, forcing out a woman and five children.
Police Capt. Richard Conway said the occupants had not responded to three orders to leave.
The raid was coordinated with the Philadelphia police. Conway said the two forces had been exchanging information on MOVE for more than a year.
Chester Mayor Joseph Battle said reports from the Philadelphia police indicated there might have been as many as 30 MOVE members at the house.
The woman evicted from the house identified herself as Mary Africa and said the children were hers. They all were released to Children and Youth Services.
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