PHILADELPHIA - The carjacking suspect whose videotaped beating by police caused a national outcry had cocaine in his system when he was arrested, a high-ranking police official said Thursday.
Toxicology reports show Thomas Jones had ingested cocaine, the officer told The Associated Press on the condition he not be named. The account did not detail how much of the drug was found in Jones' system.
Authorities have previously said they found a crack pipe in the car Jones is accused of stealing. The cocaine test was first reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer.
A TV news camera captured several officers kicking and hitting Jones last week, after a chase and shootout in which he and an officer were both shot and wounded.
The beating has prompted several investigations into the officers' conduct. Community leaders have accused the police of brutality and have staged protests. No arrests have been made.
On Wednesday, the city's Police Advisory Commission, a civilian group, announced it would conduct its own investigation into the beating.
Jones, 30, remained hospitalized Thursday with two gunshot wounds to the stomach and three to the left arm.
Jones has been charged with attempted murder, assault, resisting arrest and other offenses, and with a series of purse-snatchings and other crimes in the week leading up to the incident.
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