By Jim Clark

Police were called to the Kmart store on Middlesex Ave. last Sunday afternoon on reports of an alleged shoplifter being detained there.

Upon arrival, police were informed that the suspect, Richard Woods, 54, of Charlestown, had been observed gathering packages of 800 thread sheets from the stores shelves and then taking them to the customer service desk without paying for them.

Loss prevention personnel reportedly watched Woods as he “returned” the sheets for store credit.

After the transaction had been completed the security personnel intercepted and detained Woods before he could leave the store.

Woods had reportedly taken three packages of sheets valued at $39.95 each to the customer service desk for a return.

When asked by police why he had done this, Woods reportedly told them that he was “broke.”

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