Accused Napa Heroin Dealer Tries Biting To Escape Hospital: NSIB

NAPA, CA — A Napa man who was reportedly already facing charges for alleged drug dealing in Yolo County was arrested in a suspected Napa drug deal Wednesday and booked into Napa County jail, but not before he tried to escape from a local hospital by trying to bite security personnel, authorities said.

According to Lt. Rick Greenberg of the Napa Special Investigations Bureau, the terms of 33-year-old Napa man Daniel Munchiando's supervised release from Yolo County allow search and seizure by law enforcement.

As NSIB detectives were conducting surveillance Wednesday on Munchiando, which included staking out his car and place of residence in the 700 block of Third Street in Napa, they saw him meet with another man and conduct what appeared to be a drug deal, Greenberg said.

The detectives made contact with both Munchiando and the other man and "confirmed a drug deal for heroin had just occurred," Greenberg said.

In a search of Munchiando's person, his car and his home, detectives recovered heroin and methamphetamine packaged for sales, and other evidence of drug sales, the lieutentant said.

Detectives placed Munchiando under arrest for suspected possession for sales of both heroin and methamphetamine.

"Prior to being booked into jail, Munchiando was transported to the Queen of the Valley Hospital for medical clearance," Greenberg said. "While at the hospital, Munchiando attempted to escape from custody in handcuffs and tried to bite security personnel several times."

As Munchiando was being booked into the Napa County Department of Corrections, jail staff found more suspected illegal drugs concealed on his person, according to Greenberg.

Munchiano was ultimately booked into jail on suspicion of: possession of heroin for sale, possession of methamphetamine for sale, committing felony while on bail, possession of ingestion device, bringing illegal substance into jail and escape by force or violence.

NSIB investigates drug- and human-trafficking in Napa County. Community members are urged to call NSIB at 707-253-4458 with any tips. Callers can remain confidential and/or anonymous.