Rocky Mount, N.C. — A Rocky Mount man faces charges after authorities say he assaulted a police officer investigating a larceny at a Kmart store, off North Wesleyan Boulevard, Thursday afternoon.

A store employee told police that Keith McCoy Richardson, 28, had hidden merchandise on his person. Police said that when the officer confronted Richardson, he pushed the officer and tried to flee. The officer subdued and arrested Richardson.

Richardson was charged with assault on a government official, obstructing and delaying a government official, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of marijuana. Police identified the weapon as a box cutter.

Richardson was placed in the Nash County Jail.

According to state Department of Correction records, Richardson has two larceny and two assault convictions, including misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon. He served eight months for a probation violation in 2007 and three months for larceny and second-degree attempted trespassing in 2008.