Press ESC to Close

NEARBY: Prison Escapee Stabbed Cop, Stole Cruiser

·

By

Tom Sofield

A man wanted for escaping the Bucks County Department of Corrections custody is now accused of stabbing a police officer and stealing his department-issued SUV.

Matthew Miller, 23, is expected to be charged in the incident that could have ended a lot worse on Tuesday evening.

Advertisements


According to Bensalem police, Officer Michael Jachimski stopped Miller about 1:30 p.m. in the area of Bristol Pike and Woodhaven Road. Around 1:35 p.m., LevittownNow.com staff heard Jachimski radio the county that Miller had stabbed him and fled in his police SUV.

“During the encounter, the suspect lunged at the officer with a knife, however the penetration of the knife was stopped by the ballistic properties of the vest and the evasive movements of the officer,” police said in a statement.

The officer remained calm following the attack and relayed more information to a county dispatcher.

Advertisements


The vehicle was recovered abandoned at a shopping center in the area of Knights Road and Fairdale Drive near the Philadelphia and Bensalem border. The patrol unit’s AR-15 and shotgun were reportedly still inside.

A short manhunt ended with Miller being taken into custody in the area of Chalfont Playground around 1:45 p.m.

Advertisements


Miller had been reported missing from work release about 40 minutes prior to the attack, 6abc.com reported. Police were aware of the escape and that’s how officers first noticed Miller on along the roadway.

“This is just another great story of how a bulletproof vest, from not a bullet, but a knife, saved a life,” Bensalem Public Safety Director Fred Harran said, according to NBC10.com.

The knife used in the attack was reported to have been found at the scene.

Advertisements


Philadelphia police and their helicopter were called while Bucks County police were searching for the suspect.

Bensalem Police were assisted by Philadelphia Police and the Pennsylvania State Police.

Advertisements



Advertisements


Tom Sofield

Tom Sofield

Tom Sofield has covered news in Bucks County for 16 years for both newspaper and online publications. Tom’s reporting has appeared locally, nationally, and internationally across several mediums. He is proud to report on news in the county where he lives and to have created a reliable publication that the community deserves.