Police: Man Spits Blood Into Officer's Mouth

Bethlehem police say a Bath man punched himself in the face several times, then spit blood into the mouth of a police officer who came to his aid.

Daniel Bender, 19, of 115 W. Main St., is charged with aggravated assault and terroristic threats. 

According to court papers, Officer Lawrence Meo came across Bender on July 30 on the 2300 Block of Center Street, where he appeared to be suffering from a bloody nose. Bender allegedly told police he had punched himself "repeatedly" in the nose. 

Bender allegedly threatened to punch Meo as well. At the hospital, he spit a mix of blood and saliva into the officer's face and mouth. Bender was arraigned Thursday night before on-duty District Judge Gay Elwell in Easton, and sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $10,000 bail.