Man Arrested After Firing Gun In Drug Deal With Juveniles: PD

MELROSE, MA — A North Andover man was arrested on drug, weapons and kidnapping charges after he fired a gun during a drug deal with juveniles in the Whole Foods parking lot on Main Street, authorities said.

Eric Marklis, 37, was arrested Friday night and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, armed kidnapping, possession with intent to distribute a class D substance and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling. He was released on $200 bail at his arraignment at Malden District Court.

Melrose Police Chief Michael Lyle and Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said Marklis came to the Whole Foods Parking lot Friday night looking to sell THC vape pods to two juvenile males. When the juveniles tried to run without paying, Marklis allegedly chased after one in his car and fired his gun once into the ground, demanding the juvenile get in his car.

Officers arrived around 8:43 p.m. to find Marklis in the car with one of the juveniles. Police said Marklis had THC vape pods, rolled joints and edibles and a 9mm handgun.

"The officers involved in this case did a tremendous job in preventing this situation from escalating further with a suspect whose behavior was clearly unpredictable within close proximity to this busy shopping center," Lyle said. "I’m grateful nobody was injured as a result of this incident."

Marklis must surrender all firearms to the North Andover Police Department.

The following was derived from information supplied by the Melrose Police Department and does not indicate a conviction.

Email arrestreports@patch.com for information on the removal request process for Patch police reports.

Monday, Sept. 30

9:37 a.m. — Davi Ribeiro, 29, of Hopedale was summonsed on charges of operating a motor vehicle with a revoked registration and texting while driving after a traffic stop on East Wyoming.

Tuesday, Oct. 1

1:59 a.m. — Joel Doutre, 43, of West Wyoming Street, Melrose, was summonsed on charges of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration after a traffic stop on West Wyoming.

10:01 a.m. — Neil Sylvester, 50, of Lowell was summonsed on charges of violating a harassment prevention order.

2:06 p.m. — Report of damage to a pickup truck by a golf ball from Mount Hood.

Thursday, Oct. 3

8:19 p.m. — Jarrod Digiovanni, 40, of Malden, was issued a summons of violating an abuse prevention order.

Sunday, Oct. 6

1:55 p.m. — Police responded to a report of a man and woman inside a golf course about 30 yards from the pin on the 14th fairway at Mount Hood Golf Course. It was public property, but the area is not conducive to camping, and the people left.