Struggling Shoplifting Suspect Tased in Salem

SALEM, NH — A Bay State man was arrested and held on $10,000 cash bail on theft and other charges after an alleged incident at Lowes on South Broadway earlier today, according to police. Daniel V. McFarland, 53, of Haverhill, MA, was arrested on Nov. 4, 2016, and charged with felony theft, two counts of simple assault, and two count of resisting arrest or detention.

Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Salem Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. This link explains the name removal request process for NH Patch police reports.

According to police, officers were sent to the store for a report of a shoplifting trying to get away with two sets of measuring tapes and two DeWalt 20-volt batteries in his jacket.

“The male then walked out of the store without paying for the merchandise,” according to Joel Dolan of the Salem Police Department. “Loss prevention stopped the male and walked with him back to their office where they notified the Salem Police Department.”

An officer arrived and spoke with the man – later identified as McFarland – and the loss prevention employee. After McFarland was informed that he would be arrested, he allegedly became agitated and aggressive, Dolan stated, and refused to comply, pulled his arms, and thrashed around.

“The male then continued to violently struggle and refused to submit to the arrest,” Dolan alleged.

The officer attempted to contact dispatch and during the alleged struggled, dispatchers were unable to reach him. Other officers showed up and found the officer had Tased McFarland to control him, according to the report.

At headquarters, McFarland allegedly continued to be combative and aggressive. He was processed, arraigned, and held on the cash bail.