Holly MatkinPhiladelphia, PA – A career criminal wanted for attempted murder shot a police officer and stole a patrol SUV during a multi-state chase on Monday night.
The incident began in Delaware County, Pennsylvania when Folcroft police officers tried to stop 41-year-old Arthur Henry Disanto, who was riding a motorcycle, WPVI reported.
Disanto sped off and was initially able to evade police until they spotted him again in Southwest Philadelphia.
Officers pulled him over in the 8400-block of Lindbergh Boulevard, WPVI reported.
The suspect bailed off his motorcycle as officers approached and opened fire on them, police said.
The windows of a Folcroft Police Department (FPD) patrol SUV were blown out by gunfire as an officer took cover behind it, WPVI reported.
Disanto then jumped into the patrol SUV and led police on a chase to Deptford, New Jersey, where he ended up fleeing on foot into the woods, WPVI reported.
The armed suspect allegedly stole a ballistic vest and tactical gear from the patrol unit before he abandoned the vehicle, police said.
The #FBI is working with @PAStatePolice to locate Arthur Disanto Jr, wanted for attempted homicide. He allegedly shot a woman in her Media, #Delco, apartment on July 3. Know where he is? PSP/484-840-1000, PA Crime Stoppers/1-800-4PA-TIPS, or FBI/215-418-4000. #WantedWednesday pic.twitter.com/a6FIsWdA1f
— FBI Philadelphia (@FBIPhiladelphia) August 18, 2021
A SWAT vehicle responded to the neighborhood to help search for Disanto.
Just before midnight, police exchanged gunfire with the suspect in Washington Township, WPVI reported.
He was subsequently apprehended.
Disanto, who was wounded in the shootout, was transported to a local hospital for treatment, WPVI reported.
Police said he is expected to survive.
A law enforcement officer was also shot while trying to apprehended the murder suspect, WPVI reported.
Information regarding which department the officer works for has not been released.
The officer’s wounds were not life threatening, sources told WPVI.
Disanto has an extensive criminal history dating back to the 1990s, according to the news outlet.
The #FBI is working with @PAStatePolice to locate Arthur Disanto Jr, wanted for attempted homicide. He allegedly shot a woman in her Media, #Delco, apartment on 7/3. Have info on his location? PSP/484-840-1000, PA Crime Stoppers/1-800-4PA-TIPS, or FBI/215-418-4000. @PSPTroopKPIO pic.twitter.com/r72Ijhp54F
— FBI Philadelphia (@FBIPhiladelphia) August 5, 2021
At the time of officers’ encounter with him on Monday, he was wanted by Pennsylvania State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in connection with the July 3 shooting of a woman in Media, WPVI reported.
Disanto faces multiple charges as a result of that incident, to include attempted murder.
