A 50-year-old man assaulted and injured two police officers in Charleston who were placing him under arrest for shoplifting, authorities allege.
Frank Paterno, of Colony Avenue in Midland Beach, was arrested in connection with the alleged attack that occurred on Tuesday around 3 PM at 2790 Arthur Kill Road.
The suspect allegedly removed a propane heater without paying for it from the shelves of a Lowe’s store at that location, according to police and the criminal complaint.
When officers responded, they found the heater and two bags filled with cosmetics stolen from two CVS stores inside the suspect’s car, the complaint alleges.
Paterno refused to be handcuffed, flailed his arms and pushed two female police officers to the ground, the complaint alleges.
Hospital treatment was required for both officers.
One of the officers suffered substantial back pain, while the other officer endured a sprained thumb that required orthopedic treatment, the complaint states.
“This guy is a serial thief,” said a source with knowledge of the investigation about the suspect, who has numerous open cases on charges of grand larceny, petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property.
He also served a stint in prison on robbery charges.
In the Lowe’s incident, Paterno has been charged with assault, resisting arrest, petit larceny and criminal possession of stolen property.
His bond has been set at $35,000/$25,000 in cash and he is due back in Criminal Court on Monday.
A relative, Angelo Paterno, 57, who lives at the same address on Colony Avenue, was sitting in the defendant’s vehicle at the time and was also arrested, the complaint says.
He is charged with criminal possession of stolen property in connection with at least one of the thefts, according to police and public records. He is not charged in connection with the alleged attack on police.
Angelo Paterno has been released on his own recognizance and is due back in Criminal Court on January 11, according to public records… SIlive.com