AYER — On Thursday, July 2, 2026, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Ayer Police Sergeant Timothy Ialeggio responded to Alltown Fresh at 28 Harvard Road following a report that a man had stolen beer from the store.
(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from the printed Personnel Narrative of Sergeant Timothy Ialeggio and do not reflect any political perspective or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)
Officer James Crawford also responded to the scene.
Upon arrival, Sergeant Ialeggio said he spoke with an employee of the store, Jessica, who reported that two cashiers observed a man walk into the store and over to the beer section, take a six-pack of beer, look at the cashiers, and leave through the back door. Jessica said the suspect was now sitting on the back steps of the building.
“Officer Crawford and I walked to the back of the building and located a male party sitting outside on the steps with a 12-pack of PBR cans,” Sergeant Ialeggio said. “The 12-pack box was opened, and the male was holding an open PBR can, with approximately 50% of the can remaining, in violation of Ayer Town Bylaw open container. The male party was identified as Richard Johnson.”
According to police, Richard E. Johnson, 45, is a resident of Littleton, MA.
“l asked Richard if he paid for the beer he was drinking. Richard stated no,” Sergeant Ialeggio said. “Then he stated ‘yes’ and that he used a debit card.”
Sergeant Ialeggio advised Johnson that closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from inside the store would confirm his actions.
“Richard then stated he took the beer without paying and past all points of purchase, in violation of MGL C266 S30A (i.e., shoplifting).” Sergeant Ialeggio said.
Sergeant Ialeggio handcuffed Johnson, double-locked the handcuffs, searched him for weapons and placed him in the rear of a police cruiser.
“The open container and the beer were taken as evidence,” Sergeant Ialeggio said.
“I spoke with the two cashiers and witnesses, [names redacted], who both stated they were working the main register when Richard walked in and grabbed a pack of beer before looking at them while holding the beer in his hands, and then walked out of the store,” Sergeant Ialeggio said. Adding, “Richard was transported to the Ayer Police Department where he was printed and booked without incident by Officer Crawford and I.”
Johnson was transported to the Ayer Police Department, where Sergeant Ialeggio and Officer Crawford processed and booked him without incident.
Richard E. Johnson, 45, of Littleton, was charged with the following:
- Shoplifting by Asportation
- Ayer Town Bylaw – Open Container
“During booking, I asked Richard, ‘What did you do today?’ Richard stated, ‘Stole some beer,’” Sergeant Ialeggio said. Later adding, “Richard was referred to the COIN Program.”
The COIN program is the Community Outreach Initiative Network, a Department of Mental Health jail-diversion program hosted by the Ayer Police Department.
After he was booked, Richard was released on personal recognizance.
Officer Ialeggio added in a supplemental narrative for the incident, “During the booking process, Richard elected to use the detainee shower. While showering, Richard defecated on the floor and left soiled toilet paper along with his boxers in the defecation. The shower was placed out of service and Chief [Brian] Gill authorized Trauma 24 to respond for clean up.”
Johnson’s arraignment was scheduled for July 7, 2026, in Ayer District Court.
Disclaimer: If you are wondering why the incident in this story took place in June, that’s because I had to file FOIA request(s) to obtain the court documents. FOIAs are time-consuming.
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