Man fought with Wilkes Barre hospital security, bit officer
WILKES-BARRE PA November 30 2019 — A city man angered over being asked to leave an area hospital began fighting with security officers and bit a police officer before being subdued, according to police.
Devontay Wedderburn, 22, of 107 George Ave., is accused of causing the disturbance at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital after signing himself out from treatment Tuesday night.
According to the complaint, officers were dispatched to the emergency department around 10:50 p.m. Tuesday to a report of a man being disorderly.
They arrived to find two security officers and a Pittston police officer restraining Wedderburn, who had been asked to leave the hospital.
Police say Wedderburn refused to leave and began “verbally abusing” security officers, with spittle from his mouth spraying them. Wedderburn swiped an officer in the face, knocking off his glasses, and then punched him in the face, police said.
Wedderburn then tried fighting both security officers, prompting the Pittston officer, who was at the hospital on an unrelated matter, to join and help subdue him, police said.
During the struggle, Wedderburn bit the officer as he brought Wedderburn to the ground and handcuffed him, according to the complaint.
Police charged Wedderburn with aggravated assault, simple assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.
Magisterial District Judge Brian James Tupper arraigned him on the charges Wednesday morning and set his bail at $25,000.
Wedderburn was being held at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility with a preliminary hearing set for Dec. 5.
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