By Jim Clark

Police were called to the Star Market at McGrath Hwy. last Sunday on reports of a shoplifting incident.

As officers made their way to the scene they were advised by dispatchers that the suspect had left the store and was seen standing outside a nearby beauty supply shop.

The officers stopped a man fitting the suspect’s description, later identified as Melvin Knight. The reporting party from Star Market was on the scene and confirmed for the officers that Knight was the suspect in question.

When asked to identify himself, Knight reportedly gave a false name and Social Security number, and would not state his date of birth. A police database query did not yield a match fitting Knight’s particulars.

A search of a bag Knight was carrying turned up a bag of scallops, a bag of shrimps, and two pounds of haddock. All three items had Star Market price tags on them.

When asked if he had receipts for the items Knight reportedly said that he did not.

Knight was then placed under arrest for shoplifting. According to reports, he became very angry and told officers, “Really, really, you gonna lock me up for food, no wonder you cops are getting killed. I’ll be out on a 20 dollars bond.”

After Knight was transported for booking, police learned that he had threatened one of the store employees that had become suspicious of his activities in the store’s beer and wine shop. Knight reportedly told the employee, “If you call the police, I’ll come back to see you.”

Knight was subsequently booked and charged with shoplifting by concealing merchandise and witness intimidation.