Gun-Toting Customer Saves the Day After Suspect Wields Contaminated Needle

Say what you might about Michigan’s concealed weapons law.

An armed customer at a Home Depot in Macomb County stopped an alleged shoplifter from slashing a security guard with a contaminated needle and syringe, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Joshua J. Silva, 26, was arrested Monday night in the parking lot outside the Roseville Home Depot store after the Good Samaritan, who has not been identified, intervened in the scuffle between Silva and loss-prevention officers, who reportedly saw Silva conceal a $179 battery-powered drill under his coat.

Silva stabbed one of the officers at least five times before the other customer saw what was happening, pulled out his pistol (which he is legally licensed to carry), and told Silva to drop the syringe and get on the ground.

Silva complied, but tried to escape when he heard the approaching police sirens. The security officers allowed him to flee, and Roseville police apprehended him without incident.

Roseville Police Chief James Berlin said the citizen intervened because the Silva seemed to “be getting the best of” store security and he was afraid one of the officers might be killed, the newspaper said.

Silva was arraigned Tuesday in 39th District Court in Roseville on charges of second-degree retail fraud, a one-year misdemeanor; and assault with intent to do great bodily harm, a 10-year felony. He is being held in the Macomb County Jail on $25,000 bond.

Silva reportedly told police that he is addicted to heroin, but police said there was no indication he was high at the time of the assault.