Boston man held without bail for assaulting a police officer, fugitive from justice charges after shoplifting incident at South Bay Stop & Shop

BOSTON, March 28, 2022—A homeless man arrested on Saturday for assaulting a Boston Police officer after a shoplifting incident at the Stop & Shop in the South Bay Mall was ordered held without bail today in the South Boston division of Boston Municipal Court.

Patrick Craddock, 26, is also a fugitive from justice in New Hampshire, and authorities in that state have indicated their intent to move for extradition, Assistant District Attorney Kevin Flaherty said at today’s arraignment.  Craddock is charged with assault and battery on a police officer, assault and battery by strangulation, assault and battery, shoplifting and resisting arrest. 

Flaherty said that officers responded to a shoplifting call at the Stop & Shop at about 9:45 a.m. on Saturday.  Craddock ripped the responding officer’s radio microphone off his shoulder in an attempt to prevent the officer from calling for backup.  Craddock then lunged at the officer and ripped items off the officer’s vest.  As the officer tried to subdue him, Craddock wrestled and strangled the officer.  The officer was transported to Boston Medical Center for treatment.

Police recovered numerous Stop & Shop steak items during the arrest. Craddock will return to court April 26 for a pre-trial hearing. 

James Borghesani, Chief of Communications