NORTHUMBERLAND — A Point Township man attacked a police officer and caused $912 in damage at the police station when he went berserk while awaiting his arraignment on a domestic assault charge, authorities said.

Township police went to Rodney E. Bickel’s 1000 Susquehanna Trail home on Friday morning to investigate a complaint of a domestic dispute, court records said.

They left only to return six hours later to find Bickel, 43, intoxicated and his live-in-girlfriend, Michelle Pursel, complaining that he had hit her and bitten her pinky finger during an argument, according to court documents.

Bickel was arraigned at the police station via video conferencing by on-call District Judge John Gembic III, of Shamokin, on simple assault and harassment charges.

When he learned that he was being taken to the Northumberland County Prison in lieu of $10,000 bail, Bickel became angry and smashed his forehead on a desk, court records said.

He resisted efforts to take him to the Sunbury lockup, allegedly kicking and cursing at officers.

According to court records, Point Township Police Chief Joshua VanKirk suffered an injury to his lower leg and cuts and abrasions on his hands during the scuffle.

Bickel caused $912 in damage by gouging walls and destroying a portable radio at the police station, court records said.

He later was arraigned on charges of aggravated assault, resisting arrest, criminal mischief and harassment by District Judge Robert J. Bolton, Sunbury, who set bail at $60,000.

Bickel posted bail and was freed. A preliminary hearing will be scheduled.