SARASOTA, Fla. -- After several Sarasota police officers were attacked -- and bitten -- by a man on "spice," police would like to remind the public of a very basic fact of life.
Don't do drugs.
"... no one should take illegal drugs, including spice," Sarasota Police Department Chief Bernadette DiPino said. "Spice is a synthetic drug made in a laboratory that can cause individuals to be violent and disorientated.
"If you see someone acting this way, please call law enforcement immediately."
Officers responded around 7 p.m. Thursday, March 22, to the area of Gore Court and Orange Center Boulevard to help paramedics with a man described as ill and violent.
The person, later identified as Chad Washington who had an active warrant for failing to appear, saw the officers and tried to slam the door on them, the release states. However, the officers were able to push themselves inside but then were faced with a suspect who started to punch and kick at the officers.
One was hit the face while the other was hit in the arm. In one instance, Washington bit an officer in the thigh.
More officers responded and were able to subdue him. He was taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, the release states. Once Washington was medically cleared, he was taken to jail.
He faces three counts of battery on a law enforcement officer and possession of a controlled substance, later identified as MDMA and "spice."
The officers were medically treated and released.
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