Woman Assaults, Spits Blood At Officers: Hamden Police

HAMDEN, CT — A Branford woman is accused of biting and assaulting police officers, along with spitting blood-filled saliva into officers’ faces, after claiming she was assaulted. Police say the woman had not been assaulted, but was instead found to be fighting with a person after stealing a backpack from a vehicle outside a business in Hamden.

The wild scene unfolded at about 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, when Hamden Police responded to 295 Treadwell Street, near the parking lot of The Outer Space (a bar and music venue), on the report of a fight-in-progress. The woman wasn't a patron at The Outer Space, but had come over from a nearby banquet facility and was accused of breaking into a band's van after The Outer Space was closed, according to officials. (To sign up for Hamden breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

Arriving officers met with Wisdom South, who had facial injuries, according to Capt. Ronald Smith. South advised officers that she was assaulted. Smith said South then attacked an officer, biting him in the hand and leg. She then ran toward Treadwell Street.

Moments later, officers arrested her near Leeder Hill Drive. During the arrest, South is accused of continuing to assault officers. Smith said she kicked an officer and then spit “blood-filled saliva” into the face of two officers.

Shortly thereafter, South was transported to police headquarters. While in the booking area, South kicked another officer and then spit blood-filled saliva into another officer’s face, according to Smith.

“Investigation revealed that South was not assaulted and that she lied to police,” Smith said in a press release. “Further investigation revealed that she forcibly entered a motor vehicle of an employee of a local business. She subsequently stole the employee’s backpack. The employee chased her, at which time she dropped the backpack.

“South then ‘tripped’ on a curb, before falling to the ground. She then ‘spit blood’ on another employee of a local business, while threatening to stab him.”

South, 21, of Montoya Drive in Branford, was charged with four counts of assault on a police officer, third-degree assault, third-degree burglary, sixth-degree larceny, second-degree threatening, interfering with a police officer and breach of peace.

South, who was detained on a $100,000 bond, is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on May 26.

Pictured: Wisdom South, 21, of Branford / Hamden Police Department