By Jim Clark 

A Somerville police officer assigned to the Gang Anti-Crime Unit was present in the Home Depot store on Mystic Ave. when a customer reportedly began behaving in a belligerent manner last Wednesday.

The officer reported that the man was yelling as he walked through the store looking for his female friend. The officer remained close by as store associates dealt with the man and his rude behavior, according to reports.

The officer reportedly followed the man to the checkout area where he stood in line for a brief period of time, but eventually stepped out of line and began exiting the store without making a purchase.

The officer quickly asked store personnel if the man had any of the store’s merchandise in his possession and was told that he did.

The officer on the scene then radioed for assistance and the man, David Kotowski, 42, was shortly thereafter detained and questioned by police.

Kotowski reportedly denied having any merchandise from Home Depot in his possession, but he did pull three packages of hinges from his coat pocket, according to reports. Kotowski reportedly told police that he had bought the hinges some six months prior to this incident and that this is what he was showing to the store’s associate. Kotowski had no receipt for the items in his possession.

Kotowski was placed under arrest and charged with shoplifting by asportation.