STONEHAM, Mass. — Stoneham Police Department arrested a man that allegedly crashed his vehicle and broke into a liquor store on Saturday morning, police said.
John Bacigalupo, 54, of Revere was arrested and charged with assault and battery on a Police Officer, breaking and entering, larceny under $1,200, malicious Destruction of property under $1,200 and over $1,200, and resisting arrest.
Saturday morning around 1 a.m., Stoneham Police were called to Rapid Liquors, at 171 Main Street for a report of a burglary alarm.
According to police, officers located a vehicle that crashed into the doorway of the store and found the suspect inside the business near the cash registers smoking a cigar, drinking a beer, and eating potato chips.
Police said when they commanded Bacigalupo to exit the store he allegedly refused to comply and told the responding officers that he was armed and told them to shoot him while motioning behind his back to his waistline.
In an attempt to de-escalate the situation, two officers deployed their TASER weapon and police said it had no effect on Bacigalupo.
According to police Bacigalupo allegedly struck an officer in the face when trying to restrain him. Eventually, officers were able to place Bacigalupo under arrest.
“I wish to commend the three Stoneham Police Officers for apprehending a dangerous suspect who was willing to use violence against officers to resist arrest. The officers exercised great restraint, using their training and experience to attempt to de-escalate a volatile situation. I am grateful that this situation was ultimately brought to an end without serious injury to either the suspect or responding officers,” Stoneham Police Chief McIntyre said.
Bacigalupo is being held on $100,000 bail and is expected to be arraigned Monday at Woburn District Court.
This incident remains under investigation.
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