Vt. Man Allegedly Bites Through Officer's Skin, Spits at Police

The suspect allegedly vandalized two cars in a restaurant parking lot and was violent when officers tried to arrest him

A Vermont man with a lengthy criminal history was arrested Sunday after he allegedly smashed the windshields of two cars in Burlington and bit an officer in the leg hard enough to break the skin, according to authorities.

Justin Reynolds, 32, was arrested on charges that include vandalism, aggravated assault on a police officer and disorderly conduct after police responded to reports that he was flipping trash cans and vandalizing businesses.

Officers received a call of the alleged vandalism at 10:23 p.m. and responded to the area of Church and Bank Streets. There, people told police that the windshields of two cars were smashed in the parking lot of the Farmhouse Tap and Grill restaurant.

Reynolds was soon located near the intersection of Bank and St. Paul Streets, where officers tried to question him. Police described the suspect as "uncooperative and displayed indicators of intoxication."

Authorities said Reynolds assumed a fighting stance, did not comply with instructions and bit an officer’s leg, breaking skin and causing him harm. Reynolds allegedly spat at and kicked officers after he was arrested. 

Firefighters assisted with the arrest and placed Reynolds in a spit hood before taking him to the University of Vermont Medical Center for evaluation. The officer who was bitten was also taken to the hospital for treatment.

Burlington police said Reynolds has an extensive criminal history, with four felony convictions, six misdemeanor convictions, two failures to appear in court and more than two dozen police involvements.

The suspect was given $3,500 bail and is scheduled to be arraigned Monday.

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