Police: Sioux Falls Man Spits, Punches, Strangles Officers

Police Information Officer Sam Clemens says a Sioux Falls man is behind bars after punching, strangling and spitting on officers Friday evening.

"This was a guy staying at the Rushmore Motel. The management wanted him to leave so he called officers to make sure the person left the property," explains Clemens. "As they were escorting him out of the room, he suddenly turned and punched one of the officers in the face. The two officers then went to arrest him."

"The man then grabbed that same officer's throat and started strangling him," continued Clemens. "The officers used their taser and were able to get him under control. Once he was in the back of a patrol car, we had a different officer that was talking to the suspect. The suspect spit in that officer's face."

Clemens says 41-year-old Samuel Salpatoria of Sioux Falls is being charged with aggravated assault on law enforcement, resisting arrest and sliming.