Marc Ferraiolo and Ruth Patton: New Jersey husband and wife charged after they tried to mow down police officers
EVESHAM, NEW JERSEY: A New Jersey man and his wife were arrested on Sunday, April 30, for trying to run over two police officers with a car. Evesham Township police officers were seen taking cover in a surveillance video as an obstreperous driver in a white car started ramming into one of their cruisers.
"He backed up and repeatedly drove forward, crashing into the canine vehicle, and he struck the vehicle four times," Evesham Township Police Chief Walt Miller said, according to CBS News. The authorities were investigating a motor vehicle crash at about 1 am on Taunton Lake Road when they say Marc Ferraiolo, 23, drove by twice in a white Hyundai sedan at an estimated speed of 80 mph in a 45 mph zone.
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What is Marc Ferraiolo charged with?
Marc Ferraiolo was charged with two counts of first-degree murder of a police officer, two counts of third-degree aggravated assault on a police officer, two counts of third-degree eluding, four counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief, and fourth-degree injuring of a police canine. His wife, Ruth Patton, 42, was charged with third-degree terroristic threats and fourth-degree obstruction of justice.
23-year-old Marc Ferraiolo is facing two counts of attempted murder of a police office after Evesham Twp. Police allege he struck two patrol cars and drove directly towards police officers who were trying to stop him outside his home early this morning. @NBCPhiladelphia pic.twitter.com/2IliBm3m54
— Brian Sheehan (@BSheehanTV) April 30, 2023
The entire incident
The officers present at the crash scene provided the details of the car to other officers in the area. One officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop near the intersection of Willowbend and Evans roads, but he refused to pull over. However, they later confronted Ferraiolo at his house after the authorities obtained a warrant for his arrest.
Patton got out of the vehicle when Ferraiolo pulled into his driveway and officers moved their vehicles behind him while he remained inside. According to the police, the man was asked to get out of his vehicle which he refused and instead put his vehicle in reverse and started driving. "He threw the vehicle in reverse and maneuvered the vehicle to try to run over two of the officers that were standing along the side of the driveway. Fortunately, the officers were able to jump out of the way, not be struck by the vehicle, but became very close to striking them," Miller said.
He then reportedly hit a police vehicle with a K9 unit inside and then drove toward the two officers who nearly got smacked as he backed out of the driveway. Ferraiolo allegedly rammed the K9 vehicle thrice after driving across his neighbors' lawns. He then attempted to flee the scene again. He struck two more police vehicles as he tried to leave the scene until his Hyundai was disabled.
The authorities approached before Ferraiolo could get out of the vehicle and removed him from inside. He was given medical attention and was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. Police added that while he was removed from his vehicle, Patton allegedly tried to interfere and told them she would "kill officers." She was arrested on the scene as well. The K9, Tango, is being treated by a veterinarian because of the four impacts on the vehicle inside.