Holly MatkinGloucester County, NJ – An attempted homicide suspect accused of shooting a Monroe police officer and stealing a patrol SUV during a multi-state chase was indicted on 17 counts this week.
Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill Mayer announced the Gloucester County grand jury’s decision in a press release on Thursday.
Arthur DiSanto, 41, faces two counts of first-degree attempted murder, two counts of second-degree aggravated assault, two counts of third-degree aggravated assault, two counts of fourth-degree aggravated assault, two counts of third-degree resisting arrest, two counts of fourth-degree resisting arrest, first-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, receiving stolen property, possession of a weapon by a certain offender, and certain persons not to possess a weapon violation.
The incident began on Aug. 23 in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, when Folcroft police officers tried to stop DiSanto, who was riding a motorcycle, WPVI reported.
DiSanto was wanted for allegedly shooting a woman in Medina in July.
The suspect 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.
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.
A Monroe Township police officer was shot in the ear and the hand during the exchange of gunfire with the suspect, Mayer said.
The wounded officer was treated at a hospital and released.
DiSanto has an extensive criminal history dating back to the 1990s, according to WPVI.
At the time of officers’ encounter with DiSanto, 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.
