A man allegedly bit a Jacksonville Beach police officer’s finger during a chaotic scuffle that led to three arrests early Sunday morning, video posted to social media shows.
The footage — first revealed by Chuck McCue of Jacksonvillebeaches.info — shows several officers surrounding a young male as words are exchanged.
As officers attempted to make an arrest, the suspect appears to resist, and an officer’s hand ends up near the man’s mouth.
The officer can be heard yelling, “He’s biting my finger! He’s biting my finger! Ow!”
The suspect was then taken to the ground, out of camera view, while another officer shouts, “Stop resisting!”
The Jacksonville Beach Police Department reported that officers responded to a disturbance around 2 a.m. in the Pier Parking Lot at 502 1st Street North, where individuals were drinking alcohol in a car while revving the engine.
Police said two individuals became aggressively violent when officers addressed the situation, while a third person attempted to interfere with the arrest, ignoring lawful commands.
All three were subsequently arrested, with the third individual charged under Florida’s HALO Law, which criminalizes interference with a first responder.
Police Chief Gene Paul N. Smith condemned the incident, emphasizing that officers would respond with necessary force to stop assaults and that offenders would face vigorous prosecution.
We will unapologetically and aggressively continue to seek out criminal behavior to keep our citizens safe,” Smith said in a statement. “If you come to Jacksonville Beach to harm my officers or my citizens and are not prepared to face swift justice, go elsewhere.”
Joseph Chiarle was charged with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, battery on an officer, resisting an officer with and without violence, and DUI.
Michael Whitaker was charged with battery on an officer, resisting an officer with violence, and aggravated battery causing bodily harm.
Dayshon Milo, charged with interference with a first responder under the HALO Law.
