Teenager accused of shoplifting charged with assaulting officer

Published 12:17 pm Monday, October 14, 2019

SALISBURY — A teenager accused of stealing alcohol from Walmart on Friday kicked the police officer who was taking him into custody, according to the Salisbury Police Department.

An officer stopped a vehicle at Murphy’s Express, 1010 Freeland Drive, at 6:10 p.m. Friday after receiving a report that a black man wearing a pink shirt stole alcohol from Walmart, 323 S. Arlington St. 

One of four passengers in the vehicle matched the description from Walmart’s loss prevention officers. When the officer attempted to take William Curtis-Donnel Harris, 19, of Wilson, into custody on a charge of shoplifting, he refused to put his hands behind his back.

The officer placed Harris on the ground and detained him, then requested backup.

Harris then kicked the officer in the shin, according to a police report.

Officers found the stolen alcohol. Harris was taken back to Walmart, and the merchandise was returned.

Harris was charged with larceny, assault on a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer.

Police also found 2.4 grams of marijuana on Harris. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance.

Harris was issued a $100 bond. He has since been released.

Police cited another passenger in the vehicle, Darrell Brevard, for misdemeanor larceny.