CONCORD, N.H. -- A Pittsfield man accused of trying to stab a Home Depot employee with a screwdriver when he was confronted about shoplifting it said he stole the item as a birthday present for his father.
Brian Gage, 24, was ordered held on $110,000 bail Tuesday. Prosecutor Scott Murray said Gage's criminal record, which includes two counts of felonious sexual assault, second-degree assault, disorderly conduct and drug charges, made Gage a danger to society.
According to a police affidavit, Gage drew suspicion at the Home Depot on Monday after a store security employee saw him select some items, put them back and then select them again. The security guard noticed Gage pacing the store and watched him put a $10 screwdriver in his pants.
The affidavit said Gage paid for a magnetic tray with a Home Depot credit card but left the store without paying for the screwdriver. It says when the security guard confronted Gage, he tried to stab her with the screwdriver.
Police eventually caught up with Gage, who ran across the street into a J.C. Penney and bought a T-shirt with three shot glasses on the front saying, "I call the shots."
When Gage called his father after his arrest, he told him, he was just trying to get him a birthday present.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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