Deputies injured after responding to call about a man 'exhibiting concerning behavior' in Orange Co.

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- A man is in custody after authorities said he seriously injured three deputies during a fight in a community in Orange County.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office said deputies responded to reports of a man who was throwing rocks and bricks at trailers, pulling on air conditioning units, and "exhibiting concerning behavior" on Thursday at the Timbers Manufactured Home Community on Timbers Drive.

When deputies arrived, witnesses and people who live in the area told the officers the man had stolen items from another home. Deputies then saw the man, who matched the witness's description, standing inside a home with its door open. As deputies entered the home, authorities said a fight began.

"Deputies said that his strength is off the charts. They tried to tase him twice. It had little to no effect on him. They eventually were able to subdue him, but not after one of the deputies had been hit in the head rather severely to the point that it almost knocked him out," said Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood.

With the help of the Hillsborough Police Department and additional personnel from the Sheriff's Office, deputies were able to take Jorge Luis Lopez Duran, 53, into custody.

"He bit him on his hands, both of his hands, so severely that the place was covered in blood and the blood was all coming from the deputies. He bit our female deputy on her hand as well. hit her, struck the other deputy, bit him on the arm," said Blackwood, who added Duran was "obviously under the influence of some type of narcotic just by my training experience."

Lopez is facing three felony counts of assault on a law enforcement officer, inflicting serious bodily injury. Other charges, including larceny and damage to property, are expected, authorities said.

"We didn't want to come out because we were like, what if he tries to aggravate me or my grandma?" said Juan Ruiz, who had a grill stolen from the family's porch.

Home security video captured Duran dragging the grill, which was eventually recovered by law enforcement and returned.

"It's been in our family for a while. We were just like, what's going on with the grill?" said Ruiz.

One A/C unit was also ripped from the ground at a separate location, as authorities worked to survey the scope of damage throughout the neighborhood.

"Law enforcement officers intellectually know their job comes with risk, but the reality of the sacrifice they are willing to make for the public remains somewhat abstract until it is not," Sheriff Charles Blackwood said. "Today, their sacrifice was very real, and it was painful."

Blackwood said all three deputies were expected to be OK.

"They're my family. When they get hurt, it makes you mad, makes you angry. But you know what? You have to expect it. And with the mental health problems that we have now, compounded with the drugs that are on the street and the illicit use of narcotics and there are just bad people out there. These things are going to happen, but it is very hurtful," said Blackwood.

Ruiz, grateful for the response of law enforcement and that the situation did not escalate further.

"It is scary, especially thinking about all the kids who are living here, all the family pets," said Ruiz.

Due to the nature of the crime, Duran is being held in the Alamance County Detention Center.

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