Local News in Brief : Transient Accused of Assaulting Police

A homeless man who scuffled with police when they tried to arrest him at the beach in Venice faces five felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon, police said Friday.

The man, identified as Kenneth Sandra Pearce, was being held in County Jail after being treated for bruises and cuts on his head and arms, LAPD Capt. John Wilbanks said. Three of the five officers involved in the Tuesday incident were also treated for cuts.

Police said they tried to cite Pearce for illegal possession of a shopping cart but he refused to sign the citation and began to swing a bicycle tire at the arresting officers. One of the officers’ batons became entangled in a spoke of the wheel, and Pearce allegedly grabbed it.

Police fired a Taser stun gun, but it did not stop Pearce, authorities said. The five officers then swarmed onto Pearce and subdued and handcuffed him.

Two women who formed part of a crowd that gathered to watch the scuffle were also arrested for trying to interfere with the officers, Wilbanks said.

Pearce is one of dozens of homeless who spend much of their time at Venice’s beach and in the beach parking lots.