By Jim Clark

Police received a call from the Saks Off 5th at Assembly Row early last Saturday evening reporting that a man had been spotted concealing merchandise in a bag and was about to leave the store.

An officer working the area arrived at the store and was told that the suspect, Robert Preston, of Revere, had just left the store via the Grand Union Blvd. exit.

The store’s loss prevention employee pointed out Preston to the officer as he walked away. Preston reportedly turned and saw the officer and then began to run towards the K-mart parking lot.

The officer gave chase and ordered Preston to stop, according to reports, but he instead ran towards a parked car, which he entered and locked the doors.

Preston reportedly threw a bag into the backseat area and rolled up the driver’s side window.

The officer reported that Preston appeared to be reaching for something in the car so he drew his weapon and ordered the suspect out of the car.

Instead of complying with the officer, Preston reportedly gunned the cars engine and raced through the parking lot, endangering many people who were in the parking lot.

The car reportedly struck the officer on the arm as Preston sped away.

The officer radioed for backup response and reported that Preston’s vehicle was heading along Middlesex and Mystic Avenues towards Medford.

A patrol unit located the vehicle as it raced down Mystic Ave. and finally stopped it near Bailey Rd., whereupon Preston and a female passenger were subsequently removed.

Preston was placed under arrest and charged with failure to stop for police, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, shoplifting by concealing merchandise, and reckless operation of a motor vehicle.