A man faces multiple charges after he allegedly assaulted several police officers responding to a domestic incident on Sunday, Dec. 15.
Advertisements
According to the Falls Township Police Department, officers were dispatched to a residence on Nestingrock Lane in response to a reported domestic disturbance.
At the home, officers encountered Matthew Fazio, 43, initially appeared calm and informed officers that he had arranged to leave the home for the night.
Two officers found a woman in a back bedroom with a dog. Although uncooperative, the woman admitted to a verbal altercation with Fazio but denied any physical abuse, stating that red marks and bruising on her face were caused by her dogs, police reported.
Advertisements
The call escalated when officers returned to the kitchen to retrieve a domestic violence information packet for the woman and Fazio, who was seated in the dining area, became agitated and began yelling racial slurs at the officers, police said.
During the outburst, Fazio spit on one of the officers, police said.
Efforts to arrest Fazio turned violent as he resisted and struggled with three officers, police said.
Advertisements
The scuffle caused two body cameras to dislodge from the officer’s uniforms, police said.
During the incident, Fazio attempted to spit on the officers multiple times and struck his head against a glass door while being escorted out of the residence, police said.
The confrontation continued outside when Fazio and an officer fell, resulting in the officer sustaining injuries to his shoulder, police said.
Advertisements
Fazio was subsequently restrained and placed in a police vehicle for transport to Jefferson Bucks Hospital for medical evaluation, police said.
At the hospital, Fazio continued his aggressive behavior, was yelling, removed a protective mask meant to prevent further spitting, and assaulting an officer, police said.
In court papers, police said hospital staff and officers struggled to control Fazio as he spat at and threatened those attempting to restrain him.
Advertisements
Fazio was eventually restrained and charged with five counts of assault of a law enforcement officer, three counts of disorderly conduct, and single counts of simple assault and resisting arrest. He was preliminarily arraigned before District Judge Terry Hughes and held on 10 percent of $250,000 bail, which was later lowered by a Bucks County Court of Common Pleas judge to 10 percent of $20,000.
Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
Advertisement
12 Days of Canna Cheer
Canna Remedies: Your Go-To Accessible and Convenient Dispensary
Advertisements
Report a correction via email | Editorial standards and policies
