Shoplifter Threatens To Attack Cop — With Covid-19

An alleged shoplifter threatened deadly harm to the cop who pinched him — by spitting on him.

The pandemic encounter took place Saturday at the Stop & Shop at 2335 Dixwell Ave.

Here’s what happened, according to Hamden police spokesman Capt. Ronald Smith:

Hamden Officer Keron Bryce was working an extra-duty shift at the supermarket when a loss prevention officer told him about a potential shoplifter.

Bryce detained the man, ​“who was attempting to steal numerous items,” according to a release Smith distributed Monday.

The man, who is 48 years old and lives in the Hill neighborhood Bryce once patrolled when he was a New Haven cop, told Bryce he has Covid-19. Then the man started coughing. Bruce started to arrest him, at which point the man ​“attempted to spit on him several times.”

The man was arrested and taken to police headquarters, where he ​“advised officers that he is not infected with Covid-19.”

Police charged the man with criminal attempt to assault a police officer, interfering, sixth-degree larency, and third-degree criminal trespass. Detained on a $25,000 bond, he has a July 6 scheduled court date.

According to the state judicial database, the man has since been released with a promise to appear in court. He was previously arrested on March 4 on disorderly conduct, third-degree assault, and second-degree unlawful restraint charges; he has not yet entered a plea in that case, which has been referred to a family relations officer.