By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to the Target store on Somerville Ave. Saturday evening on reports of a shoplifter being held by loss prevention personnel.

Upon arrival, the officers were met by members of the store’s Loss Prevention Unit and briefed on what had transpired before their being called in.

The employees reportedly told the officers that a man, identified as Taurean Pearson, of Medford, had been caught in the act of placing baby formula into a backpack and leaving the store without paying for it. Additionally, the officers were told that Pearson had been observed via the store’s security camera system doing the same thing on three prior occasions, according to reports.

The officers were reportedly told that Pearson would place several cans of the baby formula into a shopping cart and then place them into his backpack after moving to a different area of the store.

The baby formula was valued at $15.99 per can, and on this occasion Pearson reportedly tried to get away with six cans before being intercepted by store security.

Upon questioning, Pearson reportedly admitted to the prior instances of shoplifting, saying that he could not afford to by the formula for his infant child.

He was subsequently placed under arrest and charged with shoplifting by asportation and larceny over $250.