By Jim Clark

A Somerville Police officer was dispatched to the Target store on Somerville Ave. last Thursday on reports of a shoplifter.

Upon arrival, the officer was met by a Target Loss Prevention representative who said that an individual, later identified as Mark Rankin, of Boston, came into the store, grabbed a prepaid cell phone and a backpack, and exited the store without paying. The officer took the reported and left the store.

Later that afternoon, the officer was dispatched back to the store, as the Loss Prevention representative reported to Somerville Police Dispatch that Rankin was back in the store and was walking in the direction of the Tech Section. Additional police officer responded as well for backup.

The initially responding officer entered the store and the other units remained outside. The officers waiting outside were informed that Rankin was exiting the store, at which time he ran in the direction of Merriam St.  The officers were able to detain Rankin as he fled down Merriam St.

In the backpack that Rankin had allegedly shoplifted earlier was a pair of Sony headphones, two Monster energy drinks, and six Starbucks coffee drinks. In his left pocket was the AT&T cell phone that he took earlier in the day.

Rankin was placed under arrest and transported to the Somerville Police Station to be booked in the usual manner on two charges of for two counts of shoplifting by asportation.

According to reports, officers have responded to this store numerous times for past shoplifting involving Rankin. An additional shoplifting incident which took place on July 28, 2021 is pending.