Oxford man bites officer, tries to steal weapon

He remains in Butler County Jail and is expected to have his video arraignment at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Butler County Area II Court, records show.

Oxford police officers responded to the Parkview Arms Apartments at 1:45 p.m. Sunday to serve arrest warrants. Police had obtained information that Ramondo Richardson, 33, was inside the apartment and had outstanding warrants.

Once inside the apartment, officers located Mace, who also had an outstanding warrant, hiding in the closet of one bedroom and Richardson hiding in another bedroom.

While two police officers were taking Richardson into custody, Mace refused to be handcuffed and punched the officer and began to resist arrest, police said.

During the fight, Mace bit the thumb of the officer and would not release his bite until the other officer pepper sprayed Mace, police said.

A second officer was also bit in the leg by Mace, according to police.

A “violent struggle” ensued in which Mace made aggressive attempts to remove the officer’s firearm from the holster, police said. The officer fought off Mace’s attempt to take the weapon, police said.

A third officer secured Richardson and returned to assist and Mace was eventually taken into custody, police said.

The three officers and Mace were treated at the scene by Oxford EMS for exposure to pepper spray. One officer was transported to McCullough-Hyde hospital and treated for a bite wound and a broken thumb.

Police Chief John Jones said the department appreciated the concern of several apartment residents who offered assistance to the officers after the incident by bringing water and towels to help with decontamination of pepper spray.

“This incident is a prime example of the dangers that are posed by what is often referred to as an unarmed suspect,” Jones said. “This demonstrates the speed and complexity of the demands on officers during such encounters and why an ‘unarmed’ suspect who attacks with his hands, feet, and teeth poses a serious threat to law enforcement officers. We are fortunate that this did not escalate into a deadly encounter and become a tragedy.”