Assailant Fends Off 5 Officers; Next Is Rex

SANTA ANA — It was a typical Friday night police call: roommates violently arguing in an apartment. Two officers were dispatched to cool things down.

But things only got hotter.

According to a police spokesman, Officer Steve Chavez, the first to enter the apartment at 3301 S. Bear St. was immediately slugged in the face by one of the residents, James Gerard Chapski, 31.

Chavez and his partner, Officer Peter Bollinger, fended off Chapski’s attack with their nightsticks, retreated and called for help.

Police Cpl. Steve Gales arrived, went in and came out with a large gash on his head, inflicted by Chapski’s fist and finger ring, police said. It required 50 stitches to close to wound.

Officer William Sweet went in and retreated after he had to bat away a thrown flower pot with his nightstick.

Sgt. Kevin Brown went in and retreated after being confronted by Chapski wielding a 4-foot-long wrought-iron candelabrum.

Then Rex the police dog went in.

Chapski was reported in stable condition Saturday at Western Medical Center-Santa Ana with dog bites on both legs, one arm and his chin. Police say he may be charged with assault with a deadly weapon.

Chapski’s roommate, Rudy Chavira, 41, who was behaving “erratically,” was admitted to a mental clinic for observation, police said.

A police spokesman said he did not know when Gales would return to work.