By Jim Clark

A police unit was dispatched to the Kmart store on Middlesex Ave. last Saturday on reports of two suspected shoplifters under observation.

Upon arrival, police escorted the suspects to the store’s loss prevention office for search and questioning.

According to reports, one of the suspects, George Webb, of Roxbury, had an active warrant out for his arrest.

As an officer pat-frisked Webb, an object resembling a flashlight was reportedly discovered on his person, in his pants pocket. When asked about the object Webb replied that it was in fact a flashlight, police said.

The officer’s suspicions were aroused by the fact that the object had two switches and a button, and based on his experience he knew that weapons are sometimes disguised as flashlights or other seemingly harmless objects. It is also common knowledge that flashlights do not need multiple switches or buttons to be operated.

As the officers examined and manipulated the supposed flashlight, it suddenly produced a loud crack of electricity. It was subsequently determined that the object was actually a stun gun disguised as a flashlight and its intended use was that of a weapon.

Webb was placed under arrest and charged with carrying a dangerous weapon, and additionally booked on a warrant charge of larceny under $250.