Northridge Man Accused Of Biting Police Officers

VAN NUYS, CA — Criminal charges were filed Wednesday against a Northridge man who allegedly bit two Los Angeles police officers when they responded to a burglar alarm at a cell phone store in Tarzana.

Jacob Smith, 23, pleaded not guilty to two felony counts each of battery with injury on a peace officer and resisting an executive officer, along with one misdemeanor count of petty theft.

Smith allegedly bit the two officers after they responded to an alarm that had been triggered Monday at the store on Ventura Boulevard. The officers used a Taser to subdue him during the struggle.

Both officers went to Providence Tarzana Medical Center for treatment of their bite wounds, according to LAPD Officer Tony Im.

Smith is due back in a Van Nuys courtroom March 6 for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial.

If convicted as charged, he could face more than three years in state prison, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

City News Service; Photo: Shutterstock