By Jim Clark

Police last Sunday afternoon received a call from a Saks Off Fifth Loss Prevention Officer who reported an alleged shoplifting incident in progress.

Officers were dispatched to the Assembly Row location to investigate and while en route were reportedly informed by store staff via cell phone that a man, later identified as Edward McVey, had been observed concealing expensive women’s handbags on his person and that he had exited the store, and had gotten on a bicycle heading towards the MBTA station at Assembly Row.

The officers then proceeded to the Assembly Row MBTA station where they reportedly spotted a man fitting McVey’s description, on a bicycle and carrying plastic bags that appeared to be full.

As police the blue lights and siren on their cruiser, McVey reported continued onto the bike path behind the Partners Healthcare building where it was not possible to follow with the cruiser.

The officers reversed direction and circled around the Partners building on the Grand Union Boulevard side where they caught up with McVey and pulled parallel to him.

McVey reportedly dumped his bicycle and attempted to hide in the tall grass on the side of the bike path, but the officers caught him and held him for search and questioning. McVey reportedly had three leather purses from Saks concealed in the white plastic bags in his possession.

McVey was placed under arrest and charges with larceny over $250 and resisting arrest.