Man Arrested for Allegedly Threatening Market Basket Protesters With Hammer

Tewksbury Police arrested a New York man on Friday after he allegedly walked towards Market Basket protestors wielding a hammer.

According to police, at 3:30 p.m. officers arrested Ira Forbes, 27, of 105 Lincoln Road, Brooklyn, New York.

Forbes was charged with assault by means of a dangerous weapon to wit, a hammer, and being a disorderly person.

Police said Forbes had an apparent verbal altercation with protestors at the Market Basket headquarters.

During the incident, Forbes allegedly armed himself with a hammer, exited his truck and approached a crowd gathered at 875 East Street.

Officers on scene ordered Forbes to return to his truck, but he continued to walk towards the crowd in a threatening manner. After seeing that he was armed with a dangerous weapon, police disarmed him and placed him under arrest.

Forbes is scheduled to be arraigned in Lowell District Court on Monday.

Photo Courtesy of Tewksbury Police