A man was arrested in Boulder on Sunday after allegedly stealing groceries from Whole Foods and assaulting a police officer.
The incident escalated when Costello reportedly attacked the officer and a security guard, leading to his arrest.
Boulder Police Arrest Suspect for Grocery Theft and Assault
Brian Costello, 35, was taken into custody after attempting to steal groceries from Whole Foods on Pearl Street in Boulder.
At around 5 p.m., the suspect was seen walking through the store with a basket full of unpaid items.
The officer, working off-duty as store security, immediately recognized Costello, who had been banned from entering the store.
As Costello tried to leave the store with the stolen groceries, the officer attempted to arrest him.
However, the situation quickly turned violent as Costello attacked the officer and a nearby security guard.
The officer had to call for backup, and Costello was detained by the police soon after the altercation.
Multiple Charges Filed Against Costello
In the aftermath of the incident, Costello is currently facing a number of severe charges.
He faces charges of second-degree burglary, second-degree assault on a peace officer, and robbery.
He also faces charges of harassing, interfering with a police officer, and objecting against an arrest.
This series of offenses underscores the gravity of the situation and the hazards that officers who respond to the scene face.
The accusations are taken seriously by the Boulder Police Department since they highlight the risk involved in handling detainees who show violent conduct during an arrest.
The incident has prompted local authorities to remind the public of the necessity of cooperation with law enforcement and the repercussions of such actions.
Officer Injured During Altercation
During the altercation, the off-duty officer sustained minor injuries to her hand.
She was taken to the hospital for treatment but was expected to recover.
Despite the injury, the officer’s quick actions helped prevent further violence and ensure the safety of others in the store.
After the officer received medical attention, Costello was transferred to the Boulder County Jail.
Police are continuing to investigate the events surrounding the incident, and Costello remains in custody as he faces multiple charges related to the altercation.
Whole Foods Security and Police Response
The officer was working off-duty as security at the Whole Foods store when the theft occurred.
This gave her the authority to address the situation quickly when she noticed Costello attempting to leave with the stolen goods.
The officer acted swiftly, but the situation became dangerous when Costello resisted arrest.
The actions of Costello were rendered even more alarming by the fact that he had been prohibited from entering the store prior to the incident.
To prevent the conflict from getting more out of hand, a store security guard also helped to hold Costello during the fight.
Their teamwork avoided a maybe more catastrophic result.