South Jersey Man Charged With Attempted Murder Of Officer

WHITEMARSH, PA — A South Jersey man has been charged with attempted murder after putting a gun to a police officer's head and pulling the trigger in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, authorities said.

Reynaldo Figueroa-Ardon, 20, of Vineland, was taken into custody shortly after the incident, according to authorities.

It occurred around 8 a.m. Wednesday in Whitemarsh Township's Lafayette Hill area, authorities said.

Police had been called because Figueroa-Ardon was walking around the Mulberry Lane area, pulling on door handles to see if they were unlocked, police said.

When police arrived, Figueroa-Ardon walked away and refused to stop when the officer called to him, according to the district attorney's office.

The officer jogged to catch up to him and asked him what he was doing. Figueroa-Ardon turned and put a gun to the officer's head, police said.

The officer later said he heard at least three clicks as the trigger was repeatedly pulled, but no shot was fired.

The officer began to wrestle with Figueroa-Ardon, gained control of him, and placed him under arrest when additional officers arrived, police said.

The weapon Figueroa-Ardon had on him had been stolen from a vehicle in Worcester Township overnight Tuesday into Wednesday, police said.

"This police officer — who is a father, husband, son, brother and veteran — reacted quickly and used his training and experience to gain control of this very dangerous situation, thankfully, with the best possible outcome," Whitemarsh Police Chief Ward said.

Bail was set at $2.5 million, which Figueroa-Ardon failed to post. He was booked at Montgomery County Correctional Facility. A preliminary hearing is forthcoming.

Story by Justin Heinze, Patch Staff