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Suspect in Auburn Mall theft tries to swim away before arrest

  • Posted by The Burbs (Sponsor: North End Motor Sales) June 25, 2024 - Filed in News - #Auburn  #Auburn Police Department  #Auburn Mall  - 2,796 views


    Auburn Police Department photos (Facebook) 

    AUBURN — A Worcester man was arrested Friday evening after attempting to evade police by swimming into a pond following an armed robbery at the Auburn Mall.

    The incident began around 6 p.m. when Auburn police received a call from a frantic mall employee who said a man tried to stab him with a knife after attempting to steal approximately $1,200 worth of fragrances from Macy's. The suspect, later identified as 46-year-old Rafael Rios Candelaria, fled on foot towards Southbridge Street.

    Auburn police, already deploying additional patrol units due to a recent uptick in gang and gun-related activities, quickly responded. Officers and Massachusetts State Police troopers established a perimeter around the area between the Auburn Library and the Auburn Fire Department. A State Police K9 unit was deployed to track the suspect, and a drone provided aerial surveillance.

    The K9 unit located Candelaria, who attempted to escape by swimming into a pond behind the library. Despite being surrounded by officers and troopers, Candelaria refused to surrender. The K9 unit swam out and guided the suspect back to shore, where he was taken into custody without further incident.

    Candelaria, who had an active warrant for larceny over $1,200 and disorderly conduct from a previous incident in Auburn, now faces additional charges, including armed robbery, larceny over $1,200, disorderly conduct, and disturbing the peace. He was held on $15,040 bail and arraigned in Worcester District Court.

    Sgt. Spiros Kaperonis, officers Gustafson, Brooks, Geldart, Markvenas, Myers, detectives Alexandrovich and Bresse, and numerous State Police troopers collaborated in the capture.

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