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(The Republican file)

SPRINGFIELD -- For the record, Alycia M. Kozak does not have AIDS.

Her lawyer offered that assurance in Springfield District Court after Kozak allegedly claimed otherwise while struggling with police and security guards at the Eastfield Mall.

Kozak, 26, of Agawam, was arrested and charged with larceny over $250 and resisting arrest after allegedly stealing $300 in men's bracelets from the Sears department store on Boston Road.

The defendant grabbed the bracelets and stuffed them in her bra before store security confronted her outside, student prosecutor Nicholas Moutinho explained during Kozak's arraignment June 17.

After initially denying that she stole anything, Kozak turned the bracelets over to store security. Later, after being handcuffed, she turned violent, flailing and kicking at police and security guards while repeatedly screaming, "Do you guys want AIDS?" the prosecutor said.

"She threatened to infect the (arresting) officer with AIDS," Moutinho said.

While being driven to police headquarters, Kozak began undressing in the cruiser and refused to let a female police officer put her clothes back on at the station, according to the arrest report.

"Ms. Kozak was only wearing her underwear bottoms when we arrived," the arresting officer wrote.

In addition to new charges, Kozak was wanted on a warrant for failing to show up last month in Westfield District Court in a malicious damage case.

The prosecutor asked Judge Edward McDonough to set bail at $500 on the new charges, and revoke the defendant's release in the Westfield case. Defense lawyer William Higgins asked for his client's release on personal recognizance, pointing out that no one was injured and no merchandise was lost.

Nor, Higgins added, did his client pose a threat to anyone's health. "She does not have AIDS," the lawyer said.

The judge set bail at $500, but refused to revoke Kozak's bail in the Westfield case.

Kozak is due back in court July 25 on the new charges.