NORTH SMITHFIELD – A man asked not to loiter in the parking lot of Walmart gave security an unexpected response last month, shooting at the man twice with a flare gun before stealing his vehicle, according to police reports.
Huntley Westcott, 74, of Woonsocket was later arrested by state police and is facing charges of assault, firing in a compact area, disorderly conduct and felony larceny.
Police responded to the store at 7 Dowling Village on around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, according to the arrest report.
A member of the Walmart security team told officers he had approached Wescott’s vehicle to state that he should not be loitering in the parking lot and asking him to leave. According to the employee, Westcott responded by backing into his vehicle, a Jeep Compass rented by the store for security detail.
The man said Westcott then pulled forward, got out of his car and pulled an orange flare gun from his pocket. He loaded a round, shot the worker’s leg and then reloaded without speaking, shooting a second flare at the victim’s head, but missing that shot.
Westcott then got into the victim’s work Jeep and drove away.
The car left behind, Westcott’s Nissan Sentra, was later towed from the scene.
State police picked up Westcott in Scituate the following day on an active warrant from NSPD. He now faces additional state charges of possession of a stolen motor vehicle, first offense, and possession of a Schedule I-V controlled substance.
The victim requested a no trespass order against Westcott from the store indefinitely. The state database shows he had no prior criminal record, but was arrested again by NSPD in late December and charged with willful trespass.
Westcott is due back in court on Tuesday, Jan. 13 for arraignment.
