WORCESTER – A Worcester Police officer was transported to the hospital after being bitten multiple times by a fleeing suspect on Thursday, April 8.
Officers assigned to the Neighborhood Response Team were investigating off-road vehicle violations based on complaints from residents when they engaged two dirt bikes operating on Beacon St at around 8:45 PM.
Officers followed the two bikes in unmarked units and approached when one bike stalled.
Amaury Pichardo, 27, of Worcester, briefly struggled with one officer before his arrest. Paulino Crisostomo, 22, of Worcester, fled on foot when officers approached.
An officer pursued Crisostomo and twice came into contact with him, but he slipped away. Eventually the officer brought Crisostomo to the ground.
According to Worcester Police, Crisostomo was wearing a fanny pack and appeared to hide his hands or reach for something repeatedly during the confrontation.
During the struggle, Crisostomo bit the officer in the chest and then the arm, where he refused to let go. When the officer freed himself from the bite, Crisostomo fled again.
During the struggle, several rounds of 9mm ammunition fell from the fanny pack of Crisostomo.
First responders transported the officer bitten by Crisostomo to the hospital for treatment of several open wounds.
Officers eventually located Crisostomo on Hancock St. and brought him into custody. Police recovered several plastic bags containing what they believed to be Fentanyl and a knife in his possession. Further investigation revealed Crisostomo was operating a dirt bike reported stolen in 2018.
Pichardo faces charges of:
- Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle
- Disorderly Conduct
- Resisting Arrest
Crisostomo faces charges of:
- Receiving Stolen Property over $1200
- Trafficking in Fentanyl over 10 Grams
- Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card
- Assault and Battery on a Police Officer
- Mayhem
- Operating an Off Road Vehicle on a Public Way
- No Helmet
- Disorderly Conduct
- Disturbing the Peace
- Resisting Arrest
