Armed Shoplifter Arrested After Struggle, Officer Injured

An alleged shoplifter that brandished a knife at a grocery store was arrested Tuesday afternoon after struggling with officers in a Ryal Side neighborhood.

Robert Wilson, 34, of Beverly was charged with shoplifting by asportation, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest and attempting to disarm a police officer.

It started at about 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday when Beverly police got a call from Stop and Shop on Elliott Street reporting that a man that had allegedly shoplifted from the store had brandished a knife at loss prevention officers as he was fleeing.

Police didn’t say what Wilson allegedly stole from the store.

Beverly Police dispatchers gave out a description of the suspect over the radio, as well as the direction he was headed.

Officer Richard Ganey was finishing up a private construction detail when he saw a male fitting Wilson’s description near Bridge Street and Eastern Avenue.

Ganey followed Wilson on to Bates Park Avenue before approaching him on Holding Street, police said. Ganey then briefly struggled with Wilson, who attempted to grab the Officer Ganey’s gun before he was arrested, according to police.

Back-up officers arrived and Wilson was taken to the Beverly Police station.

Ganey suffered minor injuries to his hand and face during the struggle, police said.

Beverly Police Officers Jason Lantych and Frank Wojick plus Sgts. Phillip McCarthy and Lawrence Van Liere assisted with the arrest.