Lynn Man Charged With Punching Mall Security Guard

Danvers police arrested a Lynn man Tuesday night for allegedly assaulting a security guard at the Liberty Tree Mall.

Kevin Budd, 34, of Lynn, was charged with disorderly conduct, assault and battery and making threats.

Police spokesman Sgt. Robert Bettencourt said Budd was smoking inside the AMC Loews Theatre and was initially approached by theater staff to quit.

He became uncooperative with that person and allegedly made threats that he would wait for the employee outside the building, Bettencourt said.

A mall security officer then arrived and confronted Budd, but the situation only escalated from there.

Bettencourt said Budd punched the guard in the face. At approximately 11:18 p.m., Danvers police officers were called to the scene outside the movie theater.

Bettencourt said officers observed visible bruises on the guard's face, but he was unsure if the man required or received medical attention.

He said Budd became belligerent with officers as well and was taken into custody.