Hospital patient allegedly attacks guard with light bulb
SALISBURY TWP., Pa. May 31 2018 – Authorities allege that a patient brandished a light bulb as a weapon against a security guard as he tried to break out of a hospital unit.
Jorge L. Pina, of West Walnut Street in Allentown, faces assault charges for the alleged attack Tuesday afternoon inside Lehigh Valley Hospital Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township. District Judge Karen Devine arraigned the 45-year-old later that night, setting bail at $25,000 with a 10 percent cash option.
Hospital security told police that Pina broke the covering to an overhead light, grabbed a tube light and broke it in half to use as a weapon, according to court records. A second security guard reportedly saw Pina running the halls, smashing a metal bed against a locked door, according to records.
Security said Pina cracked the glass and damaged the door as he attempted to break out of the hospital unit. He then ran into a small room, where the security guard confronted him.
Pina allegedly swung the two broken ends of the light bulb and slashed at the guard, who tried to disarm him. The guard suffered a cut to his left arm, and Pina was eventually restrained by other security guards, returned to his room and placed in four-point restraints. Court records do not specify why Pina was in the hospital.
Salisbury Township police charged Pina with aggravated assault, simple assault and criminal mischief. He failed to post bail and was sent to Lehigh County Jail to await a preliminary hearing scheduled for June 5.
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