Metairie man says stranger chewed, swallowed after taking bite out of his arm

Nola.com ^ | 04-07-2009 | Michelle Hunter

[Ellendra]

A Metairie resident is recovering after a stranger bit a chunk of flesh out of his arm and swallowed it Saturday afternoon.

Joseph Lancellotti, 67, told authorities he did not know the suspect, later identified as Mario Vargas, 48, or why he was attacked in his front yard.

Lancellotti was gardening at his home in the 4400 block of Kawanee Avenue about 2 p.m. when he noticed a man walking toward his house, shouting angrily, the report said. Lancellotti said he couldn't understand the man because he was yelling in Spanish. But when the man got within two feet, he slugged Lancellotti in the head, the report said.

Lancellotti said he tried to defend himself with a garden rake. As the men struggled over the rake, the stranger bent over and bit Lancellotti on his right forearm, the report said. Lancellotti's flesh ripped away as he fell to the ground. The man then got on top of Lancellotti and began choking him, the report said.

[Centurion2000]

Click link for important safety tips - Professor Egon

[BobbyT]

Clearly Vargas is misunderstood, as well as possibly being a hero.

There was no reason for Lancellotti to tell the police Vargas was yelling in Spanish. He should’ve identified it as an attempt to share his rich cultural history, and been thankful, rather than filing this hate-filled police report.