Attempted Robber Punched in Face, Arrested at Mall

After allegedly demanding cash from another man and threatening to throw him over a railing, a Shrewsbury man came away with a punch to the face and robbery charges.

"The victim squirmed off the railing and punched Caira in the face in self defense and got away," said Detective Scott DeCiero of the Community Services Bureau of the Marlborough Police Department.

Police were given the story by the victim after they were called to the Solomon Pond Mall for a disturbance, according to Marlborough Police. When the police arrived, shortly before 7 p.m. on Saturday, they were told that Dean Anthony Caira, 17, of 25 Eaglehead Cove Apt. 1A in Shrewsbury had allegedly approached the victim and demanded he give Caira all his money. He reportedly threatened to punch the victim if he did not by hitting a nearby wooden sign.

"Caira then ordered him to give him his money,” said Det. DeCiero who explained the two were on the second floor of the mall near a railing. "After making the punching gestures and punching the sign, Caira grabbed the victim’s shoulders and said what if I throw you over?”

That is when the victim was able to hit Caira and get away, according to police. Caira was arrested on charges of unarmed assault to rob.