Kingston male arrested after altercation regarding wearing a mask

A man is charged with assault and harassment after threatening a downtown store employee.

The altercation began with a polite request from the employee for the accused to put on his mask while in the convenience store, according to a police report, dated Friday Dec. 12, 2020.

At approximately 8:45 p.m. on November 6, 2020, the accused male attended the convenience store in downtown Kingston. Police say upon entering the store the female victim, who was the lone employee on duty, observed that the accused was not wearing a mask, which is a requirement in all stores and businesses in Kingston under pandemic legislation.

The victim politely requested that the accused put on his mask, which she could see that he was holding in his hand at the time, according to the report. Police say this enraged the accused who began to yell and berate the victim. Once the accused realized that he would not receive service until he complied with the victim’s request he put on his mask and apologized for his actions.

Immediately after the transaction was complete however, the accused took off his mask and continued to yell at the victim, police say. He then proceeded to spit at her, and the saliva struck the Plexiglas protective shield situated on the store counter, according to the release. The accused then left the store, leaving the victim to clean his spittle off of her protective barrier.

After an extensive investigation, which also involved reviewing store security video, police determined the identity of the accused. On Thursday Dec. 10, 2020 at approximately 10:30 a.m. the accused met with officers at police headquarters where he was arrested and later released on conditions with a future court date.

A 44-year-old local man was charged with assault, harassment by threatening conduct, and mischief under $5000.