Man Bites Officer's Leg in Alleged Attack

A Shady Side man allegedly attacked police and bit an officer's leg Monday while possibly under the influence of drugs, according to a police press release.

Police charged Rico Carl Smith, 41, of Nick Road in Shady Side, with reckless endangerment, assault, attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest.

Anne Arundel County police said officers responded to a call of an armed man with a knife at the 5200 block of Nick Road near Scott Town Road in Shady Side. The person who called police said the man was acting irrationally and threatening to cut himself, according to the news release.

After arriving at the home, officers suspected the armed suspect was under the influence of phencyclidine (PCP) based on his behavior and prior knowledge, police said. Officers then tried to disarm the man and take away his knife.

While trying to subdue the suspect, a violent struggle ensued and he allegedly attacked police. The suspect tried to disarm one officer and allegedly bit another one in the leg, according to the release.

Officers defended themselves, called for emergency assistance and eventually used a stun gun to control the man, according to police.

An ambulance transported one officer and Smith to Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis.

The news release said the officer was released from the hospital.