KINGSTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A Duxbury man was arrested Saturday afternoon after he allegedly coughed and spat on grocery store produce, and got into a physical altercation with at least one employee.
The 65-year-old man was tackled to the ground by several people inside the Kingston Stop & Shop, until police arrived shortly after 12 p.m. Saturday.
"It is alleged that a 65 year old male from Duxbury was coughing and spitting and became confrontational with staff and witnesses," Kingston Police Department said in a statement. "The incident escalated into a physical confrontation."
An eye-witness captured video of the man being held on the ground. He told the Patriot Ledger he saw the man punch a grocery store employee, who "responded by punching the man in the face."
The witness said the man was then tackled by a couple of bystanders, and he "heard them talking about him spitting and coughing on the produce, which is how I learned what happened seconds after I arrived and shot the video.”
Police said while they have no information indicating the man has coronavirus, he was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. He may face criminal charges including assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery and destruction of property. He has also been banned from the store.
The Kingston Board of Health was also called to the Stop & Shop on Summer Street to evaluate whether there is any impact to public safety.
(Photo: Getty Images)
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