WEST SPRINGFIELD - Police have accused a Springfield man of stealing $75 worth of corned beef from the Price Rite on Union Street, then threatening two store managers with a needle.

Angel A. Aponte, 34, of 891 Worthington St. was held on $1,000 cash bail over the incident on Thursday, May 28, just before noon.

According to court documents, a produce manager saw Aponte stuffing a backpack with 15 cans of Goya corned beef and notified the store's assistant manager. They watched Aponte walk past the cash registers and sit at the hiring computer.

The managers approached and asked if he had a receipt for the corned beef. He allegedly said no and reached into his pocket, pulling out a needle.

Aponte started walking toward the managers, holding out the needle as they backed away, court documents state. Once outside, Aponte ran and a loss prevention officer gave chase. The produce manager called police, who found Aponte and took him into custody.

At his arraignment in Springfield District Court on Friday, Judge Charles Groce set Aponte's bail at $1,000 cash, citing prior convictions for similar crimes, a history of mental health problems, drug addiction and open drug cases, among other factors. The court appointed him an attorney.

He's due back in court on June 16. He also was ordered to stay away from the store.