By Jim Clark

A call came in to police last week that a shoplifting in progress was occurring at the Home Depot on Mystic Ave. involving multiple suspects.

While plainclothes officers entered the store to ascertain the whereabouts of the suspects and to get details on the incident from loss prevention personnel, uniformed officers waited outside in case further assistance was needed.

One suspect, Natacha Moore, 34, of Dorchester, was stopped while reportedly attempting to exit the store through the garden department.

Two other suspects, Reinaldo Aviles, 46, and Lidia Paniagua Nova, 44, both also of Dorchester, were intercepted in the parking lot at their car.

Police officers asked Aviles what was in the trunk of the car and he reportedly replied, “Cans and clothes.”

When asked by officers if the trunk could be searched Aviles reportedly consented.

Police said that a number of fire alarms were found in the trunk of the car, concealed in plastic bags.

A search of Moore’s handbag turned up fire alarms and light bulbs, according to reports.

Loss prevention personnel told police that the three suspects were observed entering the store together and then splitting up once inside.

At one point all three suspects ended up in the same aisle and reportedly began collecting the items they had been caught with later, concealing them in their bags, police said.

As Moore attempted to leave through the garden area, Aviles and Nova went through the checkout area, paying for a bag of chips, but making no attempt to pay for the items they had concealed, according to reports.

The items taken from the store were reportedly valued at a total of $668.38.

All three suspects were placed under arrest and charged with larceny over $250.

Moore was additionally booked on warrant charges of larceny over $250 and assault.