Police forced to tase Somersworth man during shoplifting arrest

Christopher Hendrickson (Rochester Police photo)

ROCHESTER - A Somersworth man was tased during his arrest for shoplifting on Sunday after police say he scuffled with and then fled from an officer into the midst of traffic on Farmington Road while concealing his hands from the officer.

The incident unfolded around 3:05 p.m. as police responded to Walmart for a male shoplifter who refused store security's request to stop and and left the store.

Officers were provided a description, and upon arriving at the store located the male, who began to walk away when he noticed the police cruiser. As the officer got closer, the male began running," Rochester Police Capt. Todd Pinkham said today.

As an officer approached the suspect to take him into custody he began swinging his backpack at the officer, striking him with it, and then continued to run away despite being told to stop several times.
"The male began to run into traffic on Farmington Road and started to conceal his hands in front of his body," Pinkham said. "The officer then utilized his taser and was able to him into custody.

The suspect, Christopher Hendrickson, 36, of 4 Wolf Lane, refused bail and was transported to Strafford County Jail pending arraignment.

He was charged with felony theft, resisting arrest/detention, and simple assault x 4 along with contempt for violating bail conditions from a July 19 arrest.