Framingham man punched Natick Mall security guards during shoplifting escape
NATICK MA July 21 2018 – Police said a Framingham man punched two Natick Mall security guards up to 10 times on Wednesday night while trying to escape after a shoplifting attempt.
Natick police arrested Santiago Castrillion-Guapacha, 23, in a parking garage at the Natick Mall at 7:21 p.m., police spokeswoman Lt. Cara Rossi said on Thursday.
Security at the Lord & Taylor store began watching Castrillion-Guapacha when he came into the store about 7 p.m. They saw him take two pairs of sunglasses, a coat and a pair of shorts into a dressing room.
“He used two different devices to remove the security tags,” said Rossi. “He used a hook-shaped tool and a magnet to remove the sensors. He had the tools on him when he was arrested later.”
Police said Castrillion-Guapacha emerged from the dressing room and had hidden the items in a bag he had brought in. He then paid for a pair of pants before stealing a bottle of cologne and leaving the store, the lieutenant said.
Mall security followed him to the parking garage and asked him to come back to the store.
“At first he was compliant,” said Rossi. “He then started punching. He struck each of the guards five to 10 times in the arms and chest.”
Security, along with police, got Castrillion-Guapacha under control and handcuffed. Police found the stolen items, which are valued at about $600.
Police charged Castrillion-Guapacha, of 7 Pond St., with two counts of assault and battery and one count each of larceny of property worth more than $250 and unlawful possession of tools used to remove theft detection devices.
At his arraignment Thursday in Natick District Court, Judge Martine Carroll released Castrillion-Guapacha without bail and ordered him to stay away from the Natick Mall. He is due back in court on Aug. 27 for a pretrial conference.
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