Attleboro police charge driver who crashed into, drove around inside Hobby Lobby store
ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WLNE) – Attleboro Police have charged a Somerville man for crashing into the Hobby Lobby craft store on Newport Avenue early Tuesday morning.
Chief Kyle Heagney said a witness reported to police just before 5 a.m. that a driver had driven through the parking lot and crashed into the doors of the store.
The vehicle then reversed and backed-up several feet, and then accelerated, ramming the doors. The vehicle drove into the store and then began “driving within the store,” the witness told police.
The 36-year-old driver, identified as Rick Woodruff, fled the scene, but responding officers found a license place inside the store.
Chief Heagney said the officer radioed others, and approximately 2 miles away at the intersection of Newport Ave. and Roy Ave., an officer saw Woodruff’s vehicle that was missing a front license plate and had extensive damage.
Woodruff was transported to Sturdy Hospital for a precautionary mental health evaluation.
Attleboro Police have charged him with the following:
- Destruction of Property over $1200
- Break and entering into a building in the night time
- Reckless Operation of a Motor Vehicle
- Leaving the Scene of Motor Vehicle Crash after causing property damage.
The driver will be arraigned at a later date, according to the chief.
Heagney said a security camera video helped the officers determine that the act was intentional. That video, the chief said, will be available upon his arraignment.
A building inspector determined the Hobby Lobby building is structurally safe but has ‘extensive damage’ to the interior.
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