By Jim Clark

Police responded to a reported case of shoplifting at the Home Depot last week.

Investigating officers were told by store loss prevention personnel that a man, Nelson Teixiera, 30, of Dorchester, had been spotted leaving the store without paying for merchandise, a router.

Teixiera was reportedly followed to the parking lot area where he apparently intended to enter a motor vehicle, taking the allegedly stolen router inside the car with him.

Police officers who were already at the store investigating another matter were informed of the situation at which time they turned their attention to Teixiera, who noticed them approaching and attempted to flee the scene.

Teixiera was apprehended and held at the scene while officers took witness reports.

Store personnel and other witnesses had reportedly spotted Teixiera on previous occasions taking power tools from the store without paying for them. The estimated value of the stolen items amounted to $1,248.

A witness reportedly told police that Teixiera is suspected of taking items from several Home Depot stores in the general area, and may have had outstanding arrest warrants active in the city of Quincy.

Teixiera was placed under arrest and charged with larceny over $250 and larceny under $250.