By Jim Clark

While on assignment at Assembly Row, a Somerville police officer took notice of two males who had entered the Nike Factory Store on Artisan Way. A short time later, the same individuals were spotted leaving the store at a fast pace. One of the men was carrying a reusable shopping bag that he did not appear to be carrying when he first entered the store.

The officer continued to monitor the two men’s movements while his partner entered the store to question the employees. The officer was reportedly told that the two men were observed entering the store and moving towards the back sneaker aisle. The sales associate reportedly told the officer that the two men remained there for a couple of minutes then headed out of the store carrying the shopping bag.

After hearing the store employee’s account, the officers stopped the two men for questioning. The suspects, later identified as Lorenzo Gross, of Boston, and Anthony Mays, of Dorchester, reportedly told officers that they were “just walking around.”

When asked if they had been in the Nike store, Gross reportedly said, “Nah.”

The officers could see new shoes inside the bag through an opening, according to reports, and asked if the two men had receipts for them. After stating that they did not have receipts, the officers examined the three pairs of brand new Nike athletic shoes and noted that they had security stickers on them.

The two suspects denied stealing the shoes, but when the officers reviewed the store surveillance video they believed they had reason arrest the men.

Both Gross and Mays were placed under arrest and charged with conspiracy and larceny over $250.