Reading, MA — The Reading Police Department arrested a man Sunday afternoon in connection with a theft at a local pharmacy that left an employee and a police officer with minor injuries.
KAI BLACKMON, 19, of READING, was arrested and charged with the following:
- Breaking into a Depository
- Shoplifting by Asportation
- Assault and Battery on a Police Officer
- Assault and Battery
- Resisting Arrest
- Disorderly Conduct
- Destruction of Property Under $1,200
On Sunday, Oct. 11, at approximately 4:58 p.m., Reading Police were dispatched to a pharmacy at 650 Main St. for a reported robbery in progress.
Upon arrival, officers entered the pharmacy and encountered a man, later identified as BLACKMON, who attempted to flee from responding officers and resisted arrest.
During a struggle, after repeated commands and warnings, an officer used a Taser. After the first attempt to stun BLACKMON was ineffective, officers had to stun him a second time, and BLACKMON was then placed under arrest without further incident.
One officer suffered a minor injury, and store shelving and merchandise were damaged. The officer was transported to a local hospital for evaluation and later released.
The investigation revealed that BLACKMON forced his way into the employee-only area behind the pharmacy counter, shoved an employee and stole two boxes of medication. The employee suffered a minor hand injury and declined medical treatment.
BLACKMON was arraigned on Tuesday in Woburn District Court.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
