By Jim Clark

While walking along Grand Union Blvd. last Friday, two police officers took notice of a man who placed a plastic shopping bag inside a trash receptacle and then walk into the nearby Express store.

Curious as to what the man was doing, the officers waited to see what might happen next. A short time later, they reportedly observed the same man exit the store, at which time he removed clothing from inside his jacket and, place them in another plastic shopping bag, which he then stashed in another trash receptacle.

The officers reportedly maintained their surveillance of the man as he went into several stores in the area.

The man eventually retrieved the bags that he had hidden in the trash cans, at which time the officers confronted him and asked to inspect the contents of the bags.

According to reports, the man who was later identified as Oscar Hernandez-Rivera, of Mattapan, had in his possession: eleven Express Polo Shirts valued at $439.45; five Banana Republic shirts totaling $224.95 in value; three Nike hats worth a total of $73.97; one pair of Reebok sneakers valued at $59.99; and one pair of Adidas Sandals marked at $29.99.

When asked if he had any receipts for the merchandise, Hernandez-Rivera reportedly told police that he did not.

A police database query revealed that Hernandez-Rivera had several outstanding warrants out for his arrest.

Hernandez-Rivera was subsequently placed under arrest and charges with receiving stolen property over $250.

The merchandise, totaling $828.35 in value, was returned to the stores.