By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to the Walgreens Family Company–Pharmacy Store on McGrath Hwy, last week on reports of larceny. Police were informed that the suspect, Terrell Dorest, of Medford,  who was an employee, was in the office with manager.

Upon arrival, the officers met with asset protection manager, the store manager, and Dorest. The asset protection manager informed them that she had been assigned to investigate a series of money shortages that have taken place at the store since the beginning of December 2020.

She further explained that when she looked into the matter, she observed several transactions where money was taken out of the cash register and loaded into gift cards, which caused money to be missing from the cash register at the end of the business day.

The asset protection manager also stated that she and the store manager met with Dorest and confronted him, at which time he reportedly confessed to taking the money.

The asset protection manager provided the officers with a voluntary statement form completed by Dorest, where he stated in part, “I have took $8,450 from the store because i am struggling with rent, my girlfriend is pregnant and needs money for abortion.” Dorest also wrote that “we needed to get an abortion which costs $1,000.”

This statement was signed by Dorest, with the asset protection manager and store manager also signing as witnesses.

The asset protection manager also provided the officers with a copy of an Agreement to Repay form.

The officers asked the asset protection manager how she was able to attach the suspect to cash shortage, and she stated that all store employees have a distinctive and unique store identification number. She provided the officers with a document that shows all the transactions performed by Dorest from December 2, 2020 to January 24, 2021. The document showed a shortage of cash totaling $ 8,450.

The officers subsequently placed Dorest under arrest on a charge of larceny over $1,200.

Per his request, the officers allowed Dorest to call his girlfriend. While on the phone, the suspect stated, in part, “I did something stupid. I’m really sorry. I have to deal with the consequences”.

Dorest was then transported to Somerville Police Headquarter for booking.