Lower Gwynedd man charged with attempted murder of police officer in incident involving law enforcement.
A resident of Lower Gwynedd, Pennsylvania, has been charged with the attempted murder of a law enforcement officer following a violent incident involving multiple collisions with a police cruiser. Dalton Lee Janiczek, aged 21, faces a series of serious felony charges that include attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, and fleeing or attempting to elude police.
The events began around 10:19 a.m. on a recent Friday when Janiczek attempted to evade an officer from Springfield Township during a traffic stop in a white Mercedes G-Wagon. Although officers did not pursue him at that moment, the incident was swiftly disseminated to neighboring police departments.
Sgt. Jon Bleuit of the Whitpain Township Police Department was patrolling shortly thereafter when he received the alert regarding the attempted stop of Janiczek’s vehicle. Earlier that same day, Sgt. Bleuit had been informed of Janiczek’s involvement in an incident in Chester County where he allegedly threatened to detonate explosives at a police department. The Whitpain Township Police Department was already familiar with Janiczek and his vehicle, although no arrest warrant had been issued at the time.
Minutes after hearing the radio broadcast, Sgt. Bleuit spotted Janiczek driving and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. In response, Janiczek reportedly drove over a concrete barrier and continued to flee. Once again, Sgt. Bleuit did not pursue but informed adjacent departments of the situation.
At 12:39 p.m., a Plymouth Township police officer, whose identity has not been disclosed, witnessed Janiczek’s G-Wagon at the Doubletree Hotel. The officer activated emergency lights, prompting Janiczek to reverse his SUV into the police vehicle multiple times. As the officer exited his cruiser and instructed Janiczek to stop, Janiczek allegedly accelerated towards him, striking the officer and causing serious injury.
The officer was subsequently airlifted to an area hospital in Philadelphia and was reported to be in intensive care, facing multiple surgeries for severe leg injuries. Body-worn camera footage and bystander video captured the confrontation, providing critical evidence for investigators.
After departing the hotel parking area, Janiczek fled down Walton Road, where he collided head-on with a stopped Plymouth police vehicle, injuring a police sergeant. Both injured officers were reported to be in stable condition following their transport to local hospitals.
Janiczek was captured after crashing into the sergeant’s vehicle. Reports indicate that as officers took him into custody, he made threats against their lives. He was treated at Abington Hospital for minor injuries, including a graze wound.
On the day following the incident, Janiczek was arraigned by Judge Thomas P. Murt, who denied him bail. A preliminary hearing is set for November 4 before Judge Judi L. Griffis. Prior to this incident, Janiczek had a concerning history of driving infractions in both Pennsylvania and Arizona. Authorities revealed that he had been involved in several traffic incidents in the week leading up to his arrest, consistently fleeing from law enforcement. This alarming series of events underscores significant public safety concerns regarding a repeat offender.
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