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Patrick Dando, 35, was captured by the U.S. Marshals after pushing his ex-girlfriend down a flight of concrete steps and strangling her until she blacked out last Friday afternoon, District Attorney Matt Weintraub said.
Dando, who had been on the run since the attack, was charged with felony counts of aggravated assault and strangulation, along with misdemeanor counts of simple assault, disorderly conduct, receiving stolen property and theft by unlawful taking and a summary offense of harassment, the DA's office said.
He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Michael Gallagher and was sent to Bucks County Correctional Facility under $250,000 bail.
The first attack was on Aug. 7, 2020, in the victim's Falls Township apartment, authorities said. Dando grabbed her by the neck, threw her onto the bed and covered her mouth and nose to prevent her from screaming, the DA's office said.
The victim suffered injuries to her neck, chin, cheeks, and lips. Dando was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Joseph P. Falcone, who set bail at $40,000, 10 percent. Dando was able to post bail the next day.
Then, on Oct. 26, Dando attacked the same woman after she told him she was ending their relationship, authorities said. Despite her objections, Dando showed up at her apartment and started an argument that got physical when he grabbed her by the neck and threw her to the ground, authorities said.
Dando prevented her from leaving the apartment and took her phone, so she could not call for help. The victim persuaded Dando to let her take the dogs outside to use the bathroom, and she was able to get to her car and flee to the Falls Township Police Station to report the assault, the DA's office said.
Dando was charged with strangulation, false imprisonment, simple assault, and harassment. Magisterial District Judge Jan Vislosky set his bail at $25,000 unsecured, prompting Assistant District Attorney Katz to file a motion to have his bail revoked, so he could be sent back to jail.
In the latest attack, the victim was found injured inside the laundry room of her apartment complex on March 5, 2021, the DA's office said.
A Falls Township police officer found her limping up the stairs from the laundry room with bruises to both knees, elbows, feet, chest and face, authorities said.
She also had bruises to her face and neck, which was consistent with being strangled, the DA's office said. The victim told police that Dando let himself into her apartment and told her he wanted his dog back.
Dando was not allowed to have contact with the victim as part of his bail agreement and an emergency protection-from-abuse order the victim obtained after the second assault, police said.
Dando started arguing with the victim and backed her into a corner, authorities said. She repeatedly told Dando to leave the apartment, but he refused.
The victim was able to run out of the apartment and scream for help. As she ran toward the steps leading to the laundry room, Dando grabbed her and threw her down the concrete steps, authorities said.
Once at the bottom of the steps, the victim continued to scream for help and Dando grabbed her throat and covered her mouth and nose until the victim "blacked out," according to an affidavit of probable cause.
The victim later found that Dando had taken her cellphone and spare key fob to her car. The assaults were investigated by the Falls Township Police Department and Bucks County Detectives.
The case is assigned for prosecution to Assistant District Attorney Elliot R. Katz.
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