GREENFIELD — Police are investigating a shoplifting incident at Big Y on the Mohawk Trail, during which a knife was allegedly wielded.
The Greenfield Police Department declined to comment on the incident Tuesday evening, saying it’s still under investigation.
According to the department’s log, officers were dispatched to Big Y at 2:10 p.m. Tuesday for reports of a shoplifting incident and an armed assault with a knife. Store security reported stopping a man outside the store after he left without paying for $132.89 in merchandise that was in a shopping cart, according to the log. The man agreed to return to the store, but ran for the door once inside and was followed by security and an employee. A struggle ensued outside, during which the man attempted to open a folding knife, according to the log. It was knocked from his hand and the man ran from the area.
The suspect was described as white, heavy-set and in his late 20s, with short, dark brown hair and a goatee. Witnesses said he was wearing a gray hoodie, black sweat pants and black sneakers.
A camo folding knife and a blue Boston ball cap were recovered at the scene, according to the log. Police searched the area with no results.
At the scene around 2:30 p.m., two police cars idled in the fire lane outside the store, behind an ambulance, which packed up and left a short while later. Inside the store’s bakery, police officers interviewed witnesses and took down statements.
Both a store manager and an officer working the scene declined to comment.