By Jim Clark

A Somerville patrol unit officer’s suspicions were aroused when he spotted a male running down the middle of McGrath Highway with his pants down at about 2:15 a.m. last Saturday.

The officer reportedly stopped the man and questioned him about the curious behavior. The man said that he was only jogging, but he looked nervous to the officer and seemed to look over his shoulder often, according to police.

Police say that at one point a motorist stopped at the scene and shouted out, “He stole my necklace.” The alleged victim said that he had been at a nearby Hess service station with some friends and that the man being questioned, Samson Alemayehu, 20, had reached into his car through the driver’s side window and snatched a gold chain from his neck, according to police.

Alemayehu denied knowing anything about the necklace and, while being placed under arrest, reportedly yelled out threats to the alleged victim, stating that he knew where he lived and implying that he would retaliate for his reporting the incident, police said.

The gold necklace was reportedly located in the middle of Kensington Street, and police noted that the clasp was damaged.

Alemayehu has been charged with witness intimidation and unarmed robbery.