Police Log: Man Charged with Stealing Beer, Then Threatening Employees With It

Wakefield Police Log for Thursday, May 3, 2012
The following information was supplied by the Wakefield Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.

Featured item: Police arrested a Wakefield man for allegedly stealing a beer from a liquor store, then turning around and threatening to hit employees with it.

Police said Mark Hatch, 50, of  24 Cedar St. walked into a Water Street liquor store around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, picked up a single 40 ounce beer, and attempted to walk out of the store. Witnesses said employees told Hatch he had to pay for the beer, but Hatch continued to walk out of the business. As an employee started to walk outside to speak to him, witnesses said Hatch turned around, held the beer bottle up, and said he was going to hit the employee with it.

It was then that employees called Wakefield Police. Police took Hatch into custody and charged him with shoplifting by asportation and assault with a dangerous weapon out of Malden District Court.

Other incidents:
9:53 a.m. - The owner of a car wash on Water Street reported a motorist crashed into a limestone wall, causing damage. After an investigation, the owner was able to determine who caused the damage, and will be seeking restitution, police said.

5:04 p.m. - A female reported receiving threatening text messages from an ex-boyfriend. Police are currently investigating.

8:04 p.m. - Wakefield Police received a call for a "suspicious male" seen in a Main Street parking lot who appeared intoxicated. Police responded to the area, determined the man was intoxicated, and took him into protective custody.