Man Attacks Wareham Officer In Effort to Avoid Shoplifting Arrest

WAREHAM — An East Falmouth man faces charges after allegedly assaulting a police officer in a Walmart in Wareham.

Wareham Police responded to a report of a shoplifter in the town's Walmart at about 12 p.m. on Sunday. The suspected shoplifter was being monitored by the store's loss prevention personnel.

Officer Nate Aronson arrived on the scene and confronted the suspect in the store's hardware section.

Though the suspect was initially cooperative, the man allegedly assaulted Officer Aronson and fled toward the front of the store as soon as the officer informed him that he was being placed under arrest.

Officer Aronson called for assistance as the suspect continued to flee on foot toward JC Penny, where he was seen removing his shirt.

Officer Aronson was able to drive to the suspect's location, where he ordered the man to get on the ground. The man refused to comply, and instead postured himself into a fighting stance.

Officer Aronson then deployed his taser, which missed the target. However, the man submitted to arrest.

The man was taken to Wareham Police headquarters where he apparently lied about his identity. After further investigation, Wareham Police identified the man as Samuel Mills, 35, of 37 Sidewinder Road, East Falmouth.

Mills is charged with disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, shoplifting over $250, and arrestee furnishing a false name. He is being held at Wareham Police headquarters on $1,000 bail pending his arraignment in Wareham District Court on Tuesday.

Officer Aronson was treated and released from Tobey Hospital for minor injuries sustained during the incident.