The defendant resisted arrest, police said.
Pennsylvania State Police out of Media have filed felony charges against a Perkiomen Township man for attempted aggravated assault to cause serious bodily injury and false imprisonment stemming from a July 10 incident where he punched an officer while resisting arrest.
Anthony Joseph Masciantonio, 32, of the 10th block of Wynnewood Drive, was also charged Aug. 12 with three misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment of another person, misdemeanor charges of simple assault, resisting arrest, and vandalism of an educational facility, and a harassment charge, per court records.
Police said they responded to Masciantonio’s home on July 10 at 3:57 p.m. for a report of a man not allowing a woman to exit his driveway by standing behind the car.
Upon arrival at 4:12 p.m., police found Masciantonio standing in front of the porch staring at the victim, who was seated on the porch, per the complaint.
Police asked Masciantonio numerous questions about what had occurred and police said Masciantonio did not answer questions, but just stared and kept his arms folded against his chest.
When Masciantonio was told he was under arrest for false imprisonment, police allege Masciantonio swung his right arm at an officer, striking him under the right eye.
Masciantonio resisted arrest, police said, when officers took him to the ground, but was able to be restrained, albeit kicking and resisting by bucking his body at police.
Police attempted to place plastic riot cuffs on Masciantonio, but he kept tensing, kicking, and moving his legs, per the complaint. Police were able to wrap his feet together using a rope restraint, per the affidavit.
Masciantonio, police said, had a dazed look on his face and his mouth was dry, indicating he was high on a hallucinogenic drug.
When he was picked up to be placed in the police car, Masciantonio, police allege, kicked his legs and freed himself from the leg restraints. He continued to resist arrest by spreading his shoulders and grabbing troopers’ pants to prevent himself from going into the car, police said.
Masciantonio, once in the car, kept unbuckling himself and attempted to get out of the car, police said. Thus, Masciantonio laid on his back across the backseat, where he allegedly proceeded to kick the rear door, causing damage.
EMS were called to the scene due to Masciantonio possibly having a medical or drug issue, police said. He was taken to Einstein Medical Cetner for treatment.
According to court documents, Masciantonio is free on $10,000 unsecured bail and faces a preliminary hearing on Oct. 9 at 2:30 p.m. before Magisterial District Judge Adam T Katzman.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
