Mask Tirade At Southington Package Store Leads To Bias Charge: PD

SOUTHINGTON, CT — A man wanted on bigotry charges after a springtime tirade over a Southington package store's mask-wearing policy was arrested this week, police said.

The incident at Lefty’s Package Store, 1207 South Main St., took place on April 9, and a warrant had been issued for the arrest of Daniel Henderson, 57, of Southington, police said. He was located in Meriden Wednesday and arrested on the warrant, police said. He has been charged with second-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias and second-degree breach of peace.Henderson posted a $10,000 bond and is due in court on Nov. 10, judicial system records show.

According to a report, during a police investigation, Henderson admittedly entered Lefty's without "fully" wearing a face mask and became upset when he was asked to wear it "properly."

Based on a staff and witness accounts, Henderson then spit toward a staff member, expressed racial slurs toward him and threatened to damage the property before exiting, a police report indicates.