By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to the area of the Kmart store on Middlesex Ave. on reports of three shoplifters at large.

Upon arrival, a Kmart Loss Prevention Officer informed the police that he had attempted to stop three males who had stolen jewelry and watches from the store. The three men had refused to stop for him.

A short time later, an officer observed two males matching the photo that had been supplied by the Loss Prevention Officer of subjects on the Assembly Square train platform. The officer notified dispatch of the situation and approached the suspects.

Due to the fact that the officer was was acting alone and was outnumbered, he placed both of the suspects in handcuffs.

One of the suspects, later identified as a juvenile known to the Commonwealth, tensed up and struggled with the officer for a few seconds while he handcuffed him. The second suspect was later identified as Bayron Lopez, of Chelsea.

The officer asked Lopez how old he was, and he replied he was 18. The juvenile did not speak any English. The officer asked Lopez to ask the Juvenile how old he was. He asked the Juvenile in Spanish, then stated that the juvenile said he was 18.

Police pat frisked both of the suspects. A machete, approximately 18″ in length, was concealed in the juvenile’s pants, and Lopez had a bowie knife, approximately 12″ long concealed in his pants, police said.

After a follow up with the Kmart Loss Prevention Officer, police learned that the juvenile had allegedly placed several items of jewelry in his coat before leaving the store. Police could not locate the jewelry on the juvenile’s person. According to the Loss Prevention Officer, Lopez was with the juvenile and the other unknown shoplifter, but did not actively participate in stealing anything.

The Loss Prevention Officer stated that he had no way of knowing what the value of the stolen jewelry was, but estimated it to be around $100. He reportedly recovered several watches from under cars in the parking lot outside Kmart, which he states were taken by the third shoplifter.

Both subjects were transported to the police station, where it was learned that the juvenile was not an adult, and was released, pending further investigation by juvenile authorities.

Lopez was placed under arrest on a charge of violation of city ordinance possession of a dangerous weapon.