A man accused of attacking a motorcycle officer in Irwindale with two sharpened metal blades during a jaywalking stop has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and related charges.
Andrew Joseph Acuna, 33, of Fontana, is also facing one count each of assault on a peace officer and carrying a dirk or dagger and three counts of resisting an executive officer.
Bail was set at nearly $1.1 million and Acuna was ordered in Monday’s hearing to return to court July 26, when a date is expected to be set for a hearing to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.
The alleged attack occurred about 1:30 p.m. May 16 in the area of Arrow Highway and Azusa Avenue when the uniformed officer tried to stop Acuna for jaywalking. The suspect repeatedly ignored the officer’s verbal commands to stop and continued to walk away from him, according to police.
When the officer got off the motorcycle and attempted to physically stop Acuna, the suspect allegedly attacked the officer, striking him on the head several times with the two blades. The officer and the suspect began to struggle and they both fell to the ground, during which time Acuna repeatedly hit the officer, continuing to strike him with the blades until two detectives arrived and helped disarm the man, according to police.
Officers recovered two hand-sharpened metal blades, which had been modified into stabbing weapons.
Acuna was treated for minor injuries at Foothill Presbyterian Hospital in Glendora. The three officers involved in the incident suffered cuts and abrasions, but none of them required hospitalization.
–City News Service