By Jim Clark

Police were dispatched to the Target store on Somerville Ave. last week on reports of a suspected shoplifter who was behaving erratically.

The store security personnel reportedly advised police by phone that a man, later identified as Donald Frost, of Malden, had been observed concealing store merchandise on his person over a four hour period. They further stated that Frost was behaving in an aggressive manner, at one point crashing into another customer with his shopping cart.

The officers arrived just as Frost was being intercepted at the store’s exit, after paying for only a few items.

Frost reportedly became agitated as he was being led to the loss prevention office, and punched a hole in a wall with his fist.

Police retrieved a folding knife from Frost’s pocket, according to reports, and several pieces of store merchandise were discovered on his person as he was patted down by police.

Frost reportedly resisted attempts by police to handcuff him and attempted to kick them.

Frost was placed under arrest and charged with malicious wanton defacement of property, violation of city ordinance possession of a dangerous weapon, shoplifting by asportation, and resisting arrest.