Daytona Beach police chief talks about scuffle at Bike Week

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood spoke with WFTV about being assaulted by a man at Bike Week.

Chitwood was attacked over the weekend and talked about the scuffle with Michael Dangelo, 43, on Tuesday.

Chitwood thanked the people who helped him and told WFTV he was doing the job his officers do every day.

He said he was on foot patrol on Main Street and he was alone, although his officers were not far away.

Chitwood said he took pictures with bikers and received praise for the good job his department does.

Then, Chitwood said he ran into Dangelo, who said he had a constitutional right to kill cops.

Chitwood said he walked away, but Dangelo spat on the chief.

Chitwood said as he tried to arrest him, Dangelo bit down on the chief's finger and a fight ensued.

"When I worked in Philadelphia, I worked in the worst neighborhoods in the city in a solo car, and I'm no different than my cops are. I back my cops up at three or four in the morning and they're by themselves when they make car stops. Unfortunately, it's the nature of the beast," Chitwood said.

Dangelo was booked into the Volusia County Jail and charged with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence and disorderly conduct.

• Previous Story:  Chief Chitwood injured in scuffle with suspect

WFTV