A North Andover man was arrested after authorities said he fired a gun in a Whole Foods parking lot in Melrose after allegedly trying to sell THC vape pods to minors.

The suspect, 37-year-old Eric Marklis, was arraigned on several charges, including assault with a dangerous weapon and armed kidnapping, in Malden District Court Monday. The Melrose Police Department said he was in possession of THC vape pods, rolled joints and edibles during the alleged crime.

Authorities were called to the Whole Foods parking lot on Friday at 8:43 p.m. for a report of a car chasing a person and the sound of gunshots.

Upon arrival, police said they found Marklis in the vehicle with a juvenile male. A preliminary investigation showed that the suspect came to the parking lot to sell THC vape pods to two juvenile males, authorities said.

The juveniles tried to flee without paying, police said, leading Marklis to chase after one in his car and shoot a round into the ground before demanding the juvenile get back into the car.

“The officers involved in this case did a tremendous job in preventing this situation from escalating further with a suspect whose behavior was clearly unpredictable within close proximity to this busy shopping center,” Chief Michael Lyle said in a statement. “I’m grateful nobody was injured as a result of this incident.”

Marklis was released on $200 cash bail following his arraignment on the condition he stay in the state and surrender all firearms to the North Andover Police Department.