Crime

Teens reportedly attack clerk at Dorchester grocery, use his own pepper spray on him

The clerk estimated about six to eight boys around 15 years old attacked him after he confronted one for shoplifting.

November 27, 2019

1 minute to read

A clerk at a Dorchester grocery store was reportedly jumped by a group of teenage boys Monday evening, according to Boston police.

Sgt. Detective John Doyle said police responded to Rosario Grocery on Washington Street around 5:45 p.m. The clerk who called 911 was standing outside the store when officers arrived.

The clerk told police two boys around 15 years old walked into the store and one stole a bag of chips, but the clerk let him go. Police said when the second boy tried to leave with more stolen items, the clerk jumped over the counter to confront him.

That’s when a group of six to eight boys around 15 years old came into the store and attacked the clerk, he told police. He tried to spray them with pepper spray, Boyle said, but they turned it back on him.

Video obtained by WCVB-5 shows some of the boys punching the clerk and others stealing items from the store during the fight.

Boyle said the clerk told police that when he locked the door and waited for officers to arrive, the teens threatened him through the window with a knife and tried to break the window before leaving.

The clerk was treated for eye irritation from the pepper spray, Boyle said, but didn’t report any other injuries.

Police arrested one of the boys later that night on a charge of delinquent shoplifting under $50.

Boyle said officers are still searching for the others.