By Jim  Clark

A police officer assigned to Assembly Row last week was contacted by Saks OFF 5TH loss prevention personnel and alerted that Brandon Tracy, an allegedly known shoplifter who frequents Saks was in the store and had concealed two pairs of shoes in a brown paper bag.

The officer called this into dispatch and requested an additional unit, then approached Tracy and explained to him that he had been seen concealing merchandise and that he had previously been banned from Saks.

The officer noted that he personally was the one to advise Tracy both times of him being trespassed from the location.

Tracy was escorted back to the Loss Prevention office. Looking into the paper bag, the officer reportedly spotted a white cloth, which turned out to be a white necktie that retailed for $49.99.

The store security employee reportedly told the officer that he witnessed Tracy take a pair of sneakers off the shelf, cut the anti-theft device off and put the sneakers into the paper bag. He also stated that Tracy put the sneakers back on the shelf. It was his belief Tracy did this because he believed he was being followed by store staff.

A frisk of Tracy turned up nail clippers in his pants pocket, which are commonly used to remove anti-theft devices from merchandise and that Tracy has allegedly used in the past.

At this time, the officer placed Tracy in handcuffs, advising him that he was under arrest.

A search of Tracy’s person reportedly turned up a small baggie of a white powdery substance that Tracy stated was heroin in the “change pocket” on the front right side of his pants.

Tracy was then transported to the Somerville Police Station and booked for charges of removal of theft prevention device, possession of a class A drug, trespassing, and shoplifting by concealing merchandise.