Man accused of assaulting police allegedly bites hospital security officer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. July 2 2020 An Allentown man facing charges for allegedly assaulting state troopers is also facing charges for allegedly biting a hospital security officer hours after his arrest.
Pennsylvania State Police apprehended George E. Stokes early Sunday morning at the Days Hotel in Hanover Township, Lehigh County. Authorities were called to the hotel three times that morning because of Stokes, arresting him on the third trip.
As authorities tried to take him into custody, Stokes allegedly injured two state troopers. Authorities report Stokes earlier in the night smoked a cigarette dipped in what was believed to be PCP.
After his arrest shortly after 5 a.m., Stokes was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg off Schoenersville Road for evaluation; state police had secured a warrant for his arrest on assault and related charges, according to the criminal complaint.
Hospital staff contacted state police about 3:45 p.m. because Stokes was allegedly trying to leave the hospital, according to court records. When state police arrived and told Stokes they were taking him into custody, Stokes allegedly replied, “I’m not going. This is going to be a struggle.”
A struggle indeed ensued, and state police said a Taser had little to no effect on Stokes. As the fight ended up on the floor, hospital security tried to help troopers take Stokes into custody at which point he allegedly kicked and spit at troopers and security.
A Taser again failed to subdue Stokes during the roughly 10-minute struggle during which he allegedly bit a security officer’s hand, drawing blood. Another security officer reportedly sustained a knee injury.
Following the hospital fracas, police charged Stokes with a felony count of aggravated assault and misdemeanor counts of simple assault and resisting arrest. District Judge Rashid Santiago arraigned the 53-year-old hours later, setting bail at $20,000. He failed to post bail and was sent to Lehigh County Jail to await a preliminary hearing scheduled for Sept. 11.
