A man who was escorted off a Metro Line B (Red) train on suspicion of possessing drug paraphernalia was arrested on Thursday after he allegedly became combative and allegedly bit off part of a Los Angeles Police Department sergeant’s finger.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers were on a routine patrol on the Red Line train around 10:15 a.m. when they spotted the suspect in possession of drug paraphernalia. Police approached the suspect and escorted him off the train at the Vermont/Santa Monica station.
Police said that after the suspect was removed from the train, he “became violent and got into a fight with the officers”, and during the ensuing struggle the suspect bit off part of a man’s finger. LAPD Sgt.
The sergeant and the suspect were taken to hospital for treatment, police said.
“I am deeply disturbed by the vicious and horrific attack on our sergeant while he and other officers were simply conducting routine patrol in the traffic lane,” Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore said. in a press release.
“We remain committed to working every day to improve the safety of the entire transit system with the participation of dedicated patrols.”
The suspect, whose name was not immediately released, was taken into custody on suspicion of chaos and resisting an executive order.