Niagara Falls Police Pull Gun on Shoplifting Suspect Who Stole $3.75, Arrest Sends Him to Hospital

Niagara Falls Police responded to 810 Portage Road – Dollar Tree – around 10:40am on October 31st after reports of a shoplifter. Dispatch advised officers that the suspect was a white male wearing all black and last seen walking Eastbound on Elmwood Avenue.

Officers located the male on the 1300 block of Elmwood Avenue when he took off running Northbound into a yard towards Ashland Avenue. Officers searched the area for the male and located him in an alleyway between Ashland and LaSalle Avenue. The male looked at officers at which time they were able to identify him as William Huffman-Lewis from previous police interactions.

Huffman-Lewis began running Southbound towards Ashland Avenue crossing over into a backyard and into the side yard of a residence. Officers ordered Huffman-Lewis to stop and advised him he was under arrest. Officers did run after Huffman-Lewis and began to search the yards with their firearms drawn and ready to target Huffman-Lewis.

Officers located Huffman-Lewis hiding in a bush at a nearby residence at which time he was ordered to come out and get on the ground. Huffman-Lewis was laying on his left arm while officers gained control of his right arm. At that time, another officer arrived and assisting placing Huffman-Lewis into custody. It is not mentioned why, but use of force was purportedly necessary to place him under arrest.

As a result of the force used, Huffman-Lewis reported rib pain.

He was found to have stolen merchandise on his person that totaled $3.75.

Huffman-Lewis told officers that he ran due to outstanding warrants, which was unknown to officers until dispatch confirming them.

AMR was requested to evaluate Huffman-Lewis’ injuries and he was transported to Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center for further treatment.

Huffman-Lewis was ultimately booked, processed, and held for arraignment once his injuries were tended to.

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Niagara Falls Police Pull Gun on Shoplifting Suspect Who Stole $3.75, Arrest Sends Him to Hospital