City police attempting to arrest a Scranton man after he stole food from a supermarket Jan. 26 were met by an uncooperative suspect who tried to retreat back into his house, according to a criminal complaint.
Because it was his third retail theft offense, John Sweeney, 41, of 1029 Oak St., was charged with a felony, police said.
According to the criminal complaint, officers were called to Gerrity’s on North Keyser Avenue for the report of retail theft.
Dispatchers informed officers a man, later identified as Sweeney, fled and headed toward Oak Street, but they could not find him.
A manager at the store told officers Sweeney was caught on camera hiding three hoagies under his coat.
Supermarket staff provided officers with Sweeney’s address — gleaned from the customer loyalty card he used — but not his name.
Officers were able to identify Sweeney through his address at 1029 Oak St. As police were en route, dispatchers informed them Sweeney had a warrant out for his arrest.
When Sweeney answered the door, police informed him they were there to take him into custody on the warrant.
“I ain’t going nowhere with you guys,” Sweeney said, and attempted to retreat inside his residence, according to police.
When officers attempted to put Sweeney in handcuffs, he resisted and refused to put his hands behind his back. But he was eventually placed in handcuffs.
Sweeney also faces misdemeanor counts of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. He remains at Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of $1,500 bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Feb. 3 before District Judge Paul Ware.