Police: Suspect spits on, injures chief

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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., March 17 (UPI) -- The police chief in Daytona Beach, Fla., was injured by a man who allegedly said he had the right to "kill any cop that he thought was bad," officials said.

The incident happened Saturday on Daytona Beach's Main Street, The Dayton Beach News-Journal reported.

Suspect Michael A. Dangelo, 43, allegedly approached Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood and asked if he could talk to him, a police report of the incident said.

Dangelo then allegedly said it "was his constitutional right to kill any cop that he thought was bad," and as Chitwood turned to leave, the suspect spat on his back, police said.

Chitwood then turned around and told Dangelo he was under arrest, pushed the suspect against a wall and reached for Dangelo's hand, officials said.

Then, Dangelo turned his head and allegedly bit down on Chitwood's right pointer finger, the report said.

A scuffle ensued and Chitwood ended up falling to the ground. Several passersby helped restrain Dangelo until other officers arrived.

Chitwood, who was taken to a local hospital, suffered a broken right hand and finger, deep cuts to his finger and a gash to the forehead from the fall that required stitches.

Dangelo was arrested and charged with aggravated battery against a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer with violence, both felony counts, and a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct.