Man accused in attack on officer, police dog makes deal

Kim Smith

Friday, Feb. 15, 2002 | 9:27 a.m.

A man accused of attacking a police officer with a cutting board and stabbing a police dog has entered a plea agreement.

Marlin Olivas, 36, pleaded the equivalent of no contest Thursday to battery on a police officer, causing substantial bodily harm, assault on a police officer with a deadly weapon and resisting arrest with a deadly weapon.

District Judge John McGroarty could give Olivas between four and 25 years in prison in connection with the Nov. 2 incident. Five other charges will be dismissed at a sentencing hearing March 28.

Deputy District Attorney Mary Brown said officers visited an Arville Street apartment after receiving two calls about a man with a slingshot. When they arrived officers were told that the man might have had a firearm.

Olivas had his hands in his pockets, Brown said. Olivas refused to take his hands out and, instead, asked officers, "What are you going to do? Kill me?"

Olivas adopted an aggressive martial arts stance and, when he stepped toward them, the officers pepper-sprayed him. Olivas then entered an apartment, Brown said.

Officer Kyle Hirschi, 26, followed Olivas into the apartment's kitchen and, after he attempted to take Olivas to the ground using his baton, Olivas flung a cutting board at Hirshi's face, Brown said.

Hirshi lost several teeth, and his nose and eye sockets had to be reconstructed with titanium metal, Brown said.

After Olivas threw a plate at a second officer, five hours of negotiations ensued.

Olivas, wielding several knives -- some of which he threw at officers -- fled the apartment, Brown said. Officers fired nonlethal rounds at Olivas, but he did not go down.

Olivas then stabbed a police dog, which had clamped down on his arm, Brown said.

Olivas was subdued by several officers, Brown said, and the dog needed several stitches.