The attack occurred around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Arrow Highway and Azusa Avenue where the uniformed officer attempted to make an enforcement stop on the man, said Irwindale police Sgt. Rudy Gatto.
The suspect repeatedly ignored the officer’s verbal commands to stop and continued to walk away from him, Gatto said.
The officer got off the motorcycle and attempted to physically stop the suspect when the man attacked the officer, striking him on the head several times with the two blades, Gatto said.
The officer and the suspect began to struggle and they both fell to the ground, during which time the suspect repeatedly hit the officer, continuing to strike him with the blades, Gatto said.
Two Irwindale Police Department detectives arrived and the three officers were able to disarm and subdue the man.
Officers recovered two hand-sharpened metal blades, which had been modified into stabbing weapons, at the scene. The incident was witnessed by several civilians who called 911, Gatto said.
The suspect, identified by police as 33-year-old Andrew Joseph Acuna, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder of a peace officer, assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, assault, resisting arrest, possession of a dirk or dagger, and possession of concentrated cannabis, Gatto said.
Acuna was treated for minor injuries at Foothill Presbyterian Hospital in Glendora and was later booked at the Glendora City Jail. His bail has been set at $2 million.
The three officers involved in the incident received minor injuries consisting of cuts and abrasions, however none of them required hospitalization, Gatto said.
—City News Service