Dalton Lee Janiczek arrest: Video shows driver's parking lot rampage that injured Plymouth Twp. officers
A 21-year-old man is facing multiple charges, including attempted murder, after authorities say he intentionally rammed his vehicle into police cars and injured two officers during a violent encounter last week.
The incident began around noon on Friday when police received reports of a driver operating a Mercedes G-Wagon erratically in Plymouth Township . Officers attempted to pull over the suspect, identified as Dalton Lee Janiczek of Lower Gwynedd, but he fled the scene.
According to investigators, an officer later located Janiczek's vehicle in the parking lot of a DoubleTree Hotel. When the officer activated his lights, Janiczek reversed into the squad car, officials said.
The officer exited his vehicle and ordered Janiczek to stop, but authorities say Janiczek accelerated toward the officer, prompting the officer to open fire.
A video of the incident, which shows the assault on the Plymouth Township officer , has gone viral on TikTok with more than two million views. Authorities say the footage is now part of the ongoing investigation.
The officer was struck by the vehicle, and police say Janiczek then hit the injured officer three more times. He was arrested shortly afterward, following additional collisions with two other police vehicles that injured a second officer.
Both officers were transported to the hospital. The first officer sustained severe injuries and underwent emergency surgery. At last check, both officers were listed in stable condition, though the first officer's recovery is expected to be long.
Rich Vona, Bucks County Director of Law and Safety, emphasized the unpredictable nature of police work.
"Every call that an officer gets is an unknown danger because they don't know what it is that they are often being dispatched to," Vona said.
He also praised the injured officer's response during the attack.
"He had the wherewithal to do what he was trying to do, which was take action, not just become a victim and succumb to his injuries," Vona said.
Janiczek is being held without bail and faces a series of charges, including aggravated assault, fleeing police, and attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.
