Charges have been laid after an employee of a Chatham store was assaulted with a hammer during a shoplifting incident.
The Chatham-Kent Police Service said a man entered the Queen Street store shortly before 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday and was seen by a witness concealing various items in his backpack and clothing.
When a staff member confronted the man about the theft, the man retrieved a hammer from within the store and used it to threaten the employee. The man then struck the employee on the hand, causing a small abrasion, before fleeing the store.
Police responded to the scene and located a suspect shortly after the incident.
A 32-year-old Chatham-Kent man has been arrested and is now charged with theft under $5,000, possession of stolen property, assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and uttering threats to cause death. He was held in custody for a bail hearing.