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Robbery suspect bit Phoenix police officer hard enough to break skin, officials say

The officer is being treated at a local hospital and is expected to recover, officials said.

PHOENIX — A Phoenix police officer was seriously injured in a struggle with a robbery suspect Wednesday night, officials with the Phoenix Police Department said. 

Officers were called to the area of Dunlap and Central avenues just after 7:30 p.m. for reports of a robbery. Witnesses were able to describe the suspects to officers, which included information about "identifying clothing" the man and woman were wearing, officials said. 

Police identified the man as 41-year-old Christopher Leos.

Officers saw Leos and the woman and tried to speak with them, but Leos ran from police, officials said. Multiple officers chased Leos and a struggle broke out when officers caught up to him, according to department officials. 

During the scuffle, Leos allegedly bit through the skin on an officer's arm and attempted to grab the officer's firearm. The officer received other non-life-threatening injuries, and was treated at the hospital.

Leos was ultimately arrested and taken to a hospital to be evaluated. He was booked into jail upon his release, officials said. He's facing charges of aggravated assault on a police officer alongside several outstanding arrest warrants.

The officer was released and is at home recovering.

The woman was also arrested. The investigation into the original robbery call is ongoing. 

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