By Jim Clark

A shoplifter detained at K-Mart last Saturday had a lot of trouble identifying himself, according to police.

Responding Somerville police officers questioned the man who had been detained by K-Mart loss prevention staff for allegedly trying to steal a pocket watch and two necklaces.

Repeated attempts at establishing the man’s identity proved futile, police said. The man claimed to speak English poorly, and kept changing his answers when asked to identify himself.

When asked to write down his name and date of birth, he reportedly offered information that could not be matched by police data systems.

The identity of Mario Lopes Sequira, 45, of Medford, was finally confirmed by running a query based on his vehicle registration, police said.

He was arrested on a charge of shoplifting by concealing merchandise.