Ft. Hill Man Tried to Bite 2 Cops on the Face, Police Say

A Fountain Hill man tried to bite the face of two police officers—and tried to grab a gun from one—who were sent to his apartment to help involuntarily commit him to a mental health unit of a hospital, according to court papers.

It took six police officers to finally subdue Brandon Moore, 25, of 813 Cherokee St., and get him to St. Luke’s University Hospital on Sept. 19, according to an arrest affidavit.

Moore was arrested Wednesday and charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and harassment. He was committed to Lehigh County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail following his arraignment before District Judge Wayne Maura.

Fountain Hill police responded to Moore’s home at the request of Lehigh County Crisis caseworkers, the affidavit said.

When police arrived, Moore refused to go to the hospital. Fountain Hill police then requested backup from Salisbury Township police. About a half an hour into the conversation, Moore “began to get aggressive and lunged” at Officer Raymond Anthony, according to the affidavit.

At that point, Anthony along with Investigator Justino Arroyo and Officer Leslie McDonald tried to get control of Moore and handcuff him, police said. In the scuffle, Moore ended up on top of Arroyo on the couch.

Then, according to the affidavit:

• Moore tried to bite Arroyo in the face as he made “loud growling sounds.” Moore's saliva was on Arroyo's face. At the same time, Moore was trying to grab Arroyo’s handgun from its holster with his left hand.
• McDonald tried to take control of Moore’s left hand. Moore turned toward McDonald and tried to bite her face. Anthony had a hold of Moore’s right hand and his head, but his legs were kicking.

“After three other officers arrived, we were able to gain control and the defendant was taken into custody,” Anthony wrote in the affidavit.