Argument over face mask at sparta stop & shop leads to arrest

Wadim Sakiewicz, 73, of Sparta, was charged yesterday, April 17, by the Sparta Police Department with terroristic threats during an emergency (2nd degree), aggravated assault on an officer (4th degree), resisting arrest (4th degree), obstruction (disorderly persons offense), criminal mischief (disorderly persons offense), and violating the emergency orders. On April 15, Sakiewicz entered Stop & Shop in Sparta without wearing a face mask.

When an employee asked him to leave, he became combative, and when a second employee escorted him out of the store, he allegedly said he had the coronavirus and began to cough on the employee. The store alerted police, who identified and located Sakiewicz on April 17.

Sakiewicz allegedly physically resisted arrest and tried to spit on and bite officers.

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