Man Threatens Newton Store Clerk With Knife, Officer Tackles Him

NEWTON, MA — An officer happened to be in the back of a store in Newton when a man walked in and waved a knife at the clerk. When the man didn't drop his weapon, an officer tackled him and got help from bystanders to help subdue him, police said.

Police arrested Thomas Paul Zekos, 30, of Shrewsbury on Dec. 3. in connection with the armed robbery, police said. Zekos will be in court Tuesday for a dangerousness hearing, according to the district attorney's office.

Police said they got a 911 call for a robbery in progress around 2 p.m., at 3 Border St. A officer who was in the back of the store at the time said later said he saw Zekos walk in and then yell at the clerk. The officer said he saw the man had a large knife and was using it to threaten the clerk, so he drew his gun and ordered Zekos to drop the knife.

It took a few times, but eventually, he said, Zekos dropped the knife and then tried to run out of the store. The officer then tackled the man. The two struggled and, according to a police report, the officer stashed his gun behind the store counter until two customers came into the store in the middle of the struggle and helped him.

Other officers showed up just after 2 p.m. to help handcuff Zekos, who police said, continued to resist arrest.

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).