Officers hurt in scuffle with naked man

Two Douglas County deputies received minor injuries while attempting to arrest an enraged and naked man who had physically attacked his neighbor and then destroyed the interior of the victim's home at Zephyr Cove.

The deputies responded to a 911 call at 11:50 p.m. March 8 in the 200 block of Silver Drive in the Round Hill subdivision of Zephyr Cove where they found Brian Langdon, 21, standing naked in the home of his next-door neighbor.

They said the interior of the residence was in disarray with shattered glass on the floor, a broken banister railing and other household items tossed about the home.

Deputies tried to talk with Langdon, but he appeared to be oblivious to their presence, according to Sgt. Tom Mezzetta.

One of the officers performed a leg sweeping motion that brought all three to the ground. Langdon tried to wrestle free and bit at the officers as they tried to hold on and handcuff Langdon, all the while being splattered by Langdon's blood.

After a warning, an officer pepper sprayed Langdon directly in the face.

He didn't close his eyes and became more aggressive and showed no signs of pain or fatigue.

According to his booking sheet, Langdon is 6 feet tall and weighs 170 pounds.

The officers yelled to bystanders outside to call 911 for help.

Langdon began to strike one of the officers repeatedly on the side of his head.

Officers used a chokehold to subdue Langdon to gain control, according to Mezzetta.

The officers were able to place his wrists in handcuffs as officers from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department and the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office arrived in response to the call for help.

One Douglas County officer suffered swelling and soreness to his head and a knee injury. The other officer injured his right hand, left elbow and had small cuts and scratches to both hands.

Langdon was transported to the Barton Hospital for treatment of his injuries and to determine what he ingested to cause such behavior.

He became combative with South Lake Tahoe officers at the hospital who had to call for assistance to control him.

Mezzetta said while Langdon's behavior was indicative of the use of phencyclidine (PCP) or "angel dust," the sheriff's office is awaiting toxicology results.

Officers entered Langdon's unlocked home and found the walls were covered in blood spatter. A big-screen television was destroyed and a laundry dryer had been tossed down a hallway, Mezzetta said.

The 29-year-old victim told officers when he went downstairs to investigate loud noises he found Langdon standing naked at his sliding glass door opening and slamming the door so forcefully that it shattered.

The victim said Langdon walked barefoot through the broken glass and began to attack the victim's vehicle parked outside.

The victim approached Langdon who responded by attacking him.

The victim's glasses were snatched from his face and his shirt was ripped off as he tried to retreat inside his home. Langdon chased him and broke sections of the banister away from the stairway to use as clubs.

The victim fled down the street and Langdon gave up the chase.

A short time later the victim returned to his home to find Langdon inside destroying his property.

The victim dialed 911 from the second floor where he had taken refuge while waiting for the officers.

Langdon was treated and released for his injuries and was booked into the Douglas County jail on two charges of battery on a peace officer, obstructing or resisting an officer and a charge of being under the influence of a controlled substance.

He posted $25,000 bail and has been released from custody.