By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to an Assembly Row location last week on reports that a suspected shoplifter was being followed by a TJ Maxx security officer.

Upon arrival, officers were directed to the suspect, Brandon Tracy, who is reportedly known to Somerville Police from previous interactions.

The officers confronted Tracy and advised him to sit on the sidewalk. They explained that they were informed that he had stolen from TJ Maxx.

Tracy reportedly stated that he did so and pointed out the bags he was carrying and told them, “I’m sorry.”

The officers searched Tracy’s bags and found a number of items that had TJ Maxx tags on them. The allegedly stolen items were returned to the store in order to get a total of their value.

An inquiry through police dispatch advised that Tracy had two warrants outstanding warrants in effect.

Tracy was placed under the arrest and transported to the police station and booked on a charge of shoplifting by asportation second offense, and on warrant charges of nighttime breaking and entering of a vehicle or boat, attempt to commit a crime, receiving stolen property under $1200, and larceny over $1200.

Officers then went back to the store to get a full statement from them. The security officer said he began watching Tracy as he was known to him as a shoplifter. He stated that Tracy entered the area of the products, selected various items, concealed them in several bags, and exited the store, bypassing all points of sale without making any effort to pay for the items.