NJ Man Chews Off Fingertips to Hide Identity from Police

For Keith Simmonds Jr., chewing off his fingertips to conceal his identity after escaping from a cop car would perhaps be less painful than the thought of going back to prison.

An ex-convict from New Jersey, Simmonds was arrested on drug charges during a traffic stop after police found marijuana in a car he was driving, the Associated Press reports.

Police said 21-year-old's fingertips were bloodied. Simmonds also managed to move his handcuffed arms to the front of his body, kick out the side window of the patrol car and escape.

Apparently, going back to prison was not an option for Simmonds.

In 2006, he spent time in jail after being arrested on an attempted murder charge.

Eventually Simmonds received probation on a conspiracy charge in that case in which a  bicycle shop owner was stabbed.

Acting on a tip, police arrested Simmonds for a second time.

Authorities said the handcuffs that had been around his wrists were tucked into his pocket.

Police arrested Simmonds on several charges including:

• Three counts of aggravated assault on a police officer
• Resisting arrest with force
• Hindering apprehension by providing false
  information to police
• Receiving stolen property (the handcuffs)
• Tampering with evidence for allegedly biting his own fingers in attempt to get rid of his fingerprints
• Unlawful possession of handcuffs
• Escape
• Possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute
• Criminal mischief for allegedly damaging the police car door and window

Simmonds was being held in the Monmouth County jail on $135,000 bail.

• Escapee gnaws fingertips to thwart identification, Middletown police say  (app.com)
• Man chews off fingerprints to hide ID (heraldsun.com.au)
• Criminal Law - The Basics (FindLaw)