MONTICELLO, NY— On Wednesday September 25, at about 11:20 AM, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a subject in the Monticello Walmart who was cutting security tags off of merchandise.

Maurice Mitchell, 30, of New Windsor, NY, was spotted by store security attempting to steal a home cinema system and a personal computer. Mitchell waited until the greeter at the front door of the store was distracted and then tried to run out with the items. He was intercepted on the sidewalk by Sheriff’s Deputy Connor Alvarez.

When the deputy attempted to stop the suspect, he fought with the deputy and violently resisted arrest. Walmart security officer Daniel King saw the commotion, came to the deputy’s aid and called for help on the deputy’s radio. Nearby units heard the call for assistance and responded to the scene where, with the help of other civilians, the suspect was taken into custody. Mobile Medic ambulance responded to the scene and treated the deputy for abrasions to his head, face and hands.

Maurice Mitchell was charged with Felony Assault on a Police Officer, Grand Larceny and Misdemeanor Resisting Arrest. He was arraigned before Town of Thompson Judge Martin Miller and sent to the Sullivan County Jail in lieu of $40,000 bail pending a future court date.

Sheriff Mike Schiff praised Walmart security office Daniel King for his assistance at the scene. “Mr. King did an outstanding job”, said Schiff. “Instead of just standing by and watching as the deputy was assaulted, he rendered the appropriate assistance to protect the deputy and take the suspect into custody”.