A 29-year-old store clerk charged with running down a suspected shoplifter with his car faces charges of kidnapping and armed assault with intent to murder. The victim was taken to Baystate Medical Center with serious injuries following the early morning incident at the Sunoco gasoline station at 487 East Columbus Ave. It began about 4:15 a.m. when the clerk, Jeremy Caicoya, of Maple Street, confronted the shoplifter inside the store, said Ryan Walsh, spokesman for Springfield police.
A fight ensued inside the station, and when it spilled outside, both men were locked out. The shoplifter had a knife in his hand, and Caicoya was able to get into his own car, Walsh said. The man with the knife then threw a rock at Caicoya’s rear window, shattering it. Caicoya then followed the man and eventually struck him. Police found the victim laying in the intersection of Main and Longhill streets.
Caicoya also faces charges of assault and battery, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, unregistered motor vehicle and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident. Police have amended an initial charge of attempted motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation to armed assault with intent to murder. Walsh said police continue to investigate the incident and charges have not been filed against the suspected shoplifter. Walsh, late Tuesday morning, did not have any updated information on the condition of the victim. [Source: MassLive]