By Jim Clark

Members of the Somerville Police Department Drug Control Unit in conjunction with the Somerville Police Department Criminal Investigative Division conducted a narcotic/anti-crime interdiction surveillance within the Assembly Square Market Place and Assembly Row area last week.

At approximately 12:21 p.m. the officer’s attention was drawn to a woman, Maritza Alicea, 37, of Roxbury, who was observed perusing the designer handbag area of the TJ Maxx store.

According to reports, Alicea was seen placing five Michael Kors handbags onto her arm as she passed through the area.

She then moved to the main exit area and paused there, allegedly preparing to make her way out with the expensive pocketbooks without paying for them.

Alicea reportedly made her exit through the main entrance area, setting off security alarms in the process.

Officers caught up with her as she made her way into the adjoining parking lot.

Alicea was detained by the officers and the handbags were retrieved. The value of the female pocketbooks was determined to total $ 775.57.

Alicea was subsequently placed under arrest on a charge of larceny over $250.