A Lower Gwynedd man accused of using his SUV to run over multiple Plymouth Township police officers made his first in-person appearance in Montgomery County District Court on Wednesday, Dalton Janiczek, 22, walked into the courthouse under sheriff deputies' escort and briefly passed Officer Jake Hennessey, who prosecutors say suffered the most serious injuries and remains on crutches after the Oct. 24, 2025 parking-lot assault. The case has kept local law enforcement and prosecutors tied up for months, and Wednesday's appearance marked the next step in a closely watched prosecution.
According to CBS Philadelphia, Janiczek is charged with attempted murder and related offenses. He did not respond to reporters' questions as deputies escorted him out of the courthouse, while dozens of officers gathered outside in a show of support for their injured colleagues, the outlet reported.
Montgomery County prosecutors say the case began on Oct. 24, 2025, after investigators traced a white Mercedes G-Wagon to the DoubleTree Guest Suites on Fountain Road and linked the vehicle to a string of erratic incidents that day. In a press release, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office said charging documents show the driver reversed into a patrol car, accelerated toward an officer and later struck other police vehicles. District Attorney Kevin R. Steele added, "This defendant used his vehicle to attempt to kill a Plymouth Township police officer."
Video of the alleged attack circulated online, and investigators said Janiczek had earlier made a 911 call threatening to blow up a police station, NBC10 Philadelphia reported. The first officer was airlifted and required surgery for serious leg injuries, and other officers were hurt when the Mercedes struck additional police vehicles as it fled the scene.
Charges and next steps
Janiczek faces multiple felony counts including attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault and fleeing or attempting to elude police, according to FOX29 Philadelphia. He was arraigned on Oct. 25, 2025, and a judge denied bail at that hearing. The outlet reported that prosecutors said additional charges could be filed as the investigation continued.
Courtroom scene and officer recovery
Dozens of officers gathered outside the courthouse Wednesday as family members, fellow officers and prosecutors watched the case move forward. Plymouth Township Police Chief John Myrsiades told reporters the incident left "a lot of people hurt, a lot of people affected" and praised officers' recovery efforts. The public appearance of some of the injured officers underscored how the case, built on bodycam and bystander video, is expected to proceed through months of legal process, CBS Philadelphia reported.
