New Haven Man Assaulted Officer At Walmart: PD

NEW HAVEN, CT — A 29-year-old New Haven man was arrested on charges that he assaulted an officer while being arrested on shoplifting charges at a Walmart on Foxon Road, according to a police statement.

Richard E. Smith Jr. was charged with assault on a police officer, interfering with a police officer, fifth-degree larceny, three counts of possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell.

In response to a social media video which depicts a portion of the encounter, New Haven Police Chief Otoniel Reyes offered an update on the arrest and made available the arresting officer’s body cam footage, which is available at the police department's Facebook page.

Reyes said in a statement, “The officers’ actions were appropriate under the circumstances and the use of force was appropriate under the circumstances. The arresting officer’s body camera footage clearly shows the officer attempting to detain an individual, later identified as Richard E. Smith, Jr., who is suspected of trying to walk out the store without paying for a shopping cart of merchandise. The officer is injured as he and responding officers attempt to detain the man.”

He added, “During the incident, the man falsely identified himself as a Walmart employee when he is not and he claimed to have tried to make a purchase when he had not. Additionally, officers found the man in possession of a quantity of illegal drugs.”

“The officers did an excellent job and used the amount of force necessary to overcome the resistance of the man who refused to be arrested,” Reyes said.