Reporting by Saleen Martin, USA TODAY Network
A man cut a Safeway employee with an axe while he was shoplifting at the supermarket in Washington, DC, authorities say.
Andrew Spielman, 37, of Prince George’s County, Maryland, was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon in connection with an incident at a Safeway in northwest Washington, DC, near the Takoma Aquatic Center, just before 10 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29, the Metropolitan Police Department wrote in an arrest report obtained by USA TODAY.
Police said Spielman walked into the store and began to put items into his backpack. When an employee tried to stop Spielman, the two got into “a physical altercation.” According to the report, Spielman began “slashing” the employee with an axe, inflicting wounds that required the individual to seek treatment at a hospital.
What is Andrew Spielman accused of stealing?
When authorities stopped Spielman on the same day of the incident, they searched his belongings and found ice cream, lemon bread, brisket, round roast, milk and other food, the report says.
Spielman was also charged with shoplifting on Aug. 29, according to the report. Police did not say whether the axe believed to have been used belonged to Spielman or where they believe the assailant got it.
The DA could not confirm whether Spielman had retained an attorney, and his case was not available in online court records as of Sept. 2. USA TODAY asked the Department of Corrections on Sept. 2 whether Spielman was still in custody, and is awaiting a response.
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.
Reporting by Saleen Martin, USA TODAY Network