The identity of a man who was in police custody in a hospital remained a mystery yesterday, one authorities are hoping someone can help them solve.

Lt. Jack Kearney of the Allegheny County sheriff's office said the man is scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing today before District Judge Robert Dzvonick on charges of aggravated assault, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief.

He was arrested at about 11 p.m. Oct. 13 by Millvale police after they responded to a complaint about a man who appeared to be inebriated walking along Route 28 near the 40th Street Bridge.

When an officer pulled his cruiser next to the man and rolled down the window to talk to him, the man did not speak but dove into the police car through the open window.

He was screaming unintelligibly, Lt. Kearney said, and he punched and broke the officer's laptop computer screen.

The officer zapped the man with a Taser, but when it had no effect, he summoned help, Lt. Kearney said.

The man was taken to the Allegheny County Jail, but his fingerprints failed to reveal his identity, Lt. Kearney said. Authorities are awaiting results of national searches of criminal records.

He is white, in his mid- to late 30s, 5 feet 7, with brown hair and green eyes. His only identifying mark is a tattoo across his back that reads "Veritas."

Anyone with information was asked to call the sheriff's office at 412-350-4714.