Report: Pepper Spray Had 'Little to No Effect' on Bread Shoplifter

Somerville police had a violent encounter with a bread shoplifter, according to allegations in a police report.

The report says it took three officers to subdue 17-year-old Juan Interiano, of Everett, who allegedly stole a loaf of bread from Pearl Street Market at about 11 p.m. on Feb. 28 and whom police think may have been under the influence of bath salts.

When police arrived at the market, they found Interiano pacing back and forth in the store eating from a loaf of bread, according to the report.

The store's clerk told police Interiano had stolen the loaf, left the store, then re-entered the store through the back and wouldn't leave.

Police asked Interiano to leave, but he wouldn't, the report says.

When officers tried to put Interiano under arrest, he fell to the ground, taking three officers with him, then began swinging his arms and legs at the officers, the report alleges.

After a tumultuous struggle and a warning, police used pepper spray on the young man, but "it had little to no effect," the report says.

It also says, "We noticed that [Interiano] was uncharacteristically strong as though he may be under the influence of bath salts."

Eventually officers managed to place Interiano in handcuffs, but he continued to struggle, the report says.

It says one officer suffered from lacerations to his hand after the struggle, and another received a bump on his left leg.

Interiano was charged with three counts of assault and battery on a police officer, shoplifting, resisting arrest and trespassing.

Please remember that allegations contained in police reports do not indicate a conviction.