FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Cumberland County sheriff's detectives have arrested a Fayetteville man and charged him with shoplifting at Cross Creek Mall earlier this week.

Gregory Tulburt Foster, 36, was arrested shortly after midnight Wednesday and was charged with one count of misdemeanor larceny, assault on a government official and assault with a deadly weapon.

Authorities said that Foster also allegedly assaulted an off-duty Cumberland County sheriff's deputy who was armed and working as a mall security guard.

The off-duty officer, whose name was not released, fired his weapon at the suspect's car, hitting one of the tires. The suspect, however, still managed to flee the scene, authorities said.

Foster is being held in the Cumberland County Detention Center under a $1,500 secured bond and is scheduled to make his first appearance in court Jan. 30.

Earlier this week, a security guard at a Belk's department store in Wilson was also assaulted while trying to thwart a suspected shoplifter, according to police.

Investigators said that when the officer, Jeffrey Reason, tried to stop Benjamin Eason as he was leaving Parkwood Mall, a fight ensued that resulted in Reason being cut on the left upper arm and across the left hand.

Eason was arrested Wednesday morning in Raleigh and charged with assault with a deadly weapon, inflicting serious injury, and assault with a deadly weapon and misdemeanor larceny.