By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to the Marshall’s store at McGrath Hwy. last Saturday on reports of a shoplifter.

While en route to Marshalls, Somerville Police Dispatch informed the officers that the shoplifter had just made threats to employees of the store that he was going to shoot up the store.

Upon arrival, the officers were met by the Assistant Store Manager and victim of the threats, who led the officers to the alleged shoplifter, later identified as Richard Payne, of Everett.

The officers observed Payne putting Nike sneakers into a suit case. They approached Payne and asked to speak with him. He reportedly made two fists and got close to an officer. Payne was asked several times to back up before the officer had to push him back.

Payne was asked what his name was, but he did not answer.  He then went to take the suitcase that he was filling up and attempted to leave in the opposite direction, where he was met by one of the responding police officers.

When Payne was told he was not taking the suitcase, he tried to get around the officers. He was then placed into handcuffs The officers were then able to locate an ID on Payne’s person.

While trying to explain to Payne what the store employee was alleging, he was reportedly yelling. He continued to tell police that he would be out of jail in less than an hour. He then stated to the officers that they should just trespass him.

The Assistant Store Manager stated that she noticed Payne from past interactions. She stated that he has shoplifted in the past. Today she was helping a customer, when Payne saw her and reportedly said, “You better not bring that bitch near me. I’m going to come back and shoot up the place.” That is when she called the Somerville Police.

The Assistant Store Manager then scanned all items that Payne was attempting to shoplift. The total was $353.86.

Based on the facts, Payne was placed under arrest on charges of shoplifting over $250 by concealing merchandise and threat to commit a crime.

According to police accounts, Payne has been caught shoplifting from Target in the past few weeks. He also reportedly shoplifted at Marshalls on May 20, but was gone before the arrival of the Somerville Police.