Suspect uses teeth to damage patrol car

MILTON, Fla. (WALA) - The Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office says a man damaged a patrol car with his teeth.

Officials say 47-year-old Eric Scott was knocking on resident's doors and asking them to call 911. They say he was carrying a flashlight and saying he needed medical assistance.

When deputies arrived on the scene, Scott tried to walk away from them. They say Scott became agitated and began to curse at them and told them to kill him.

Deputies believe Scott was under the influence of narcotic due to his irrational behavior. They say Scott was experiencing erratic behavior, hallucinations, confusion, loss of direction, and aggression towards law enforcement.

Officials say Scott also had several self-inflicted injuries to his hands and had blood coming from his nose.

Due to his aggression, Scott was detained in handcuffs and EMS was requested.

While Scott was leaning over the hood of the patrol car, he began to scrape his front teeth rapidly across the paint, causing the paint to be stripped off to the bare metal. Deputies had to restrain his head by holding his forehead to keep him from damaging the patrol car any further.

Scott was transported by EMS to a local hospital for evaluation.

Officials say while at the hospital, Scott continued to ask law enforcement to “kill him” and asked hospital staff to put a plastic bag over his head to “kill him”.

The patrol vehicle was taken to a local body shop. Scott’s teeth caused damage to the vehicle estimated at close to $600.

Charges are pending against Scott for criminal mischief and resisting an officer without violence.