Stoneham Liquor Store Scene Of Wild Arrest Following Crash

STONEHAM, MA — A man who police said crashed into the front of a liquor store, shrugged off multiple Tasers and assaulted officers was arrested early Saturday morning.

Stoneham police responded to a burglary alarm at Rapid Liquors on Main Street around 1 a.m. Inside they found a man later identified as John Bacigalupo, 54, of Revere, smoking a cigar, drinking a beer and eating potato chips.

Police said Bacigalupo refused to leave the stores, saying he was armed and telling officers they would need to shoot him, all the while motioning behind his back toward his waistline.

Two officers used their Taser three times, but police said it had no effect. Bacigalupo hit an officer in the face during a struggle, during which merchandise fell from the shelves, and Bacigalupo was eventually arrested, authorities said.

WHDH reported Bacigalupo was a Mafia hitman who served 13 years for murder. He is being held on $100,000 bail.

"Our overnight 'drive-thru renovation' didn't go as planned so we will have a delayed opening on Saturday January 8th and ask that you bear with us while we have our store repaired," Rapid Liquors said on Facebook.

Bacigalupo will be arraigned Monday in Woburn District Court of charges of assault and battery on a police officer, breaking and entering in the nighttime, larceny under $1,200, malicious destruction of property under $1,200, malicious destruction of property over $1,200 and resisting arrest.

"I wish to commend the three Stoneham Police Officers for apprehending a dangerous suspect who was willing to use violence against officers to resist arrest," Chief James McIntyre said."The officers exercised great restraint, using their training and experience to attempt to de-escalate a volatile situation. I am grateful that this situation was ultimately brought to an end without serious injury to either the suspect or responding officers."