MA Man Accused Of Trying To Steal Officer's Gun After Cigarette Theft

SALEM, NH — A Quincy, Massachusetts man was arrested in Salem on Saturday after being accused of stealing cigarettes and violently resisting arrest, including attempting to take a police officer's gun, the Salem Police Department said.

John Horrigan, 33, was charged with theft, resisting arrest and attempted taking of a firearm from a law enforcement officer, police said. The suspect was held without bail and is due to be arraigned Monday in Rockingham County Superior Court, authorities said.

According to police reports, at 10:15 p.m., Salem PD officers responded to a call about an alleged theft at Cumberland Farms, located at 382 S Broadway.

At the scene, the employee who made the call told officers that a male subject had just stolen two cartons of cigarettes and told the employee that he would be waiting for police outside the business, police said.

The Salem PD said its officers then located Horrigan waiting for them in the parking lot.

When the officers attempted to take Horrigan into custody, the suspect violently resisted and twice attempted to take a firearm from the holster of one of the Salem PD officers, the department said.

Eventually, the suspect was subdued and arrested, according to police.