Man charged with biting 2 cops in Harrowgate struggle
Police say a man bit two officers as they tried to apprehend him overnight in Philadelphia's Harrowgate section.
A 32-year-old man was arrested after allegedly biting two police officers during a struggle early Wednesday in the city's Harrowgate section.
Just after 1:35 a.m., the two uniformed officers on patrol in the 1200 block of East Atlantic Street noticed Cesar Ortega exiting the passenger side of a 2004 Honda Accord, police said. The car had no tags and was parked on the sidewalk.
As the officers attempted to question Ortega, he tried to flee and a struggle ensued, police said. Ortega allegedly threw punches toward the officers and shouted, "I have HIV."
When the officers tried to handcuff Ortega, he bit them both — one on her left forearm and the other on his left hand, police said. Both officers were treated and released from Aria Health-Frankford Campus.
Chief Inspector Scott Small told reporters after the incident that human bites are "really potentially very dangerous" and such wounds need to be thoroughly cleaned.
Ortega, of the 3300 block of Kensington Avenue, was treated for minor injuries at Temple University Hospital. He was charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, terroristic threats, and related offenses.
Small told reporters that the suspect had been known to use and sell drugs in the area.