Police: Shoplifter Hit Officer With Baby Stroller In Leominster
LEOMINSTER (CBS) - A Leominster man is under arrest in a bizarre case of shoplifting. Police say the man rammed an officer with a baby stroller, with a child in it, as he tried to get away.
The story unfolded at the Whitney Field Mall in Leominster. Police say an off duty officer was shopping with his family, and noticed a man shoplifting at the Victoria's Secret store. He was allegedly stuffing items into a jacket which was in a baby stroller.
The officer approached 29-year-old William Martin, and that's when police say the trouble started. Martin allegedly rammed the officer with the stroller trying to escape. A 16-month-old child was inside the stroller at the time.
"I believe the suspect stated 'I'm not going back to jail' and attempted to push the officer away with the stroller by pushing it towards him," said Leominster Patrolman Elvin Vasquez. "The officer grabbed him at which time the male suspect did try and break free, tipped over the baby carriage causing the baby to fall to the ground."
Police say Martin initially left the carriage behind, but was arrested when he ran back to get the stroller and tried to escape.
The baby is not believed to have been hurt. Martin was charged with reckless endangerment to a child and a variety of other charges including assaulting a police officer and shoplifting.
