(File Photo of a Police Siren Light)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Pittsburgh, PA) A Pittsburgh-area police officer is facing charges in Sumter County, Florida following an alleged domestic incident, according to an arrest affidavit. 

Investigators said Officer Manuel Pihakis of the Reserve Township Police Department is accused of biting his girlfriend during an altercation at a hotel. Authorities said a second incident occurred hours later at a private residence. 

According to the affidavit, Pihakis is accused of striking the victim in the back of the head with an open hand, knocking her to the floor. 

He was charged with simple battery and domestic violence, taken to jail and later released on bail. Police said he has been placed on administrative leave. 

KDKA-TV reported that an internal report from February described Pihakis as appearing intoxicated while off-duty inside the police station, citing observations of slurred speech and bloodshot eyes.