Woman faces felony charge for allegedly biting officer

WAILUKU — A woman who was being transported to Wailuku after her arrest is facing a felony charge after she allegedly bit a police officer Friday night at the Lahaina Police Station.

Sarina Smith, 39, was charged with fourth-degree theft and first-degree assault on a law enforcement officer.

Smith went to a residence on Shaw Street where she previously lived and asked for property she believed she had left there, Deputy Prosecutor Lewis Littlepage said during her initial appearance Monday in Wailuku District Court. He said she was asked to leave, then allegedly stole a cellphone and bicycle and rode away on the bicycle.

The cellphone and bicycle were recovered when police located Smith and arrested her, Littlepage said.

Several hours later at about 10:30 p.m. Friday, Lahaina patrol officers were preparing to transport Smith to Wailuku when she became uncooperative, according to a declaration filed in court to support the charge. Smith kept complaining about the handcuffs before she was taken back into the Lahaina station so officers could readjust her handcuffs, Littlepage said.

Right before officers secured the handcuffs on Smith, she bit an officer in the middle of his left thigh, according to the declaration.

Littlepage asked for bail to remain at $1,100 for Smith, who has no convictions and has lived on Maui for six years.

Deputy Public Defender Andres Tobar asked for Smith to be released on supervision. Although she gave no local address to police, Tobar said Smith has a place to live in Lahaina.

Judge Lauren Akitake kept bail at $1,100.

Smith was ordered to stay away from the residence on Shaw Street and the woman living there.