By Jim Clark

While assigned to uniform patrol at Assembly Row last Saturday afternoon, a Somerville Police officer was contacted by a Home Depot loss prevention associate, reporting two shoplifters fleeing the scene.

The loss prevention associate provided the officer with a partial Massachusetts license plate number, but could not read the rest due to a tinted license plate cover. The two suspects were reported as being one male and one female.

As the officer turned onto Revolution Drive, he observed a vehicle matching the provided description exiting the parking lot and turning toward Grand Union Blvd. The officer activated his lights and siren and stopped the vehicle on Grand Union Blvd behind Home Depot.

The operator, later identified as Larry Banks, of Dorchester, did not possess a license, but identified himself verbally. The front passenger was identified with a driver’s license as the registered owner of the vehicle.

The officer informed Banks and the female passenger that he had stopped them on suspicion of larceny from Home Depot, and also for the license plate violation.

Banks reportedly stated that they thought they had paid for two air conditioners, but when confronted, left them at the door.

The loss prevention associate reviewed video footage and observed the female and Banks enter the self-checkout register. The woman reportedly grabbed the scan gun and rang in one case of water for $3.00. She did not attempt to scan the two air conditioners, valued at $578.

Immediately following scanning the water, the woman reportedly inserted her credit card in a hurried manner. Meanwhile, Banks reportedly distracted the employee who is assigned to monitor the self-checkout registers.

The loss prevention associate was standing nearby, and when the woman and Banks attempted to exit the store, the associate identified himself and requested they return to the office. Banks reportedly stated “We’re out of here,” and left the air conditioners in the vestibule. This area is past all points of purchases.

Banks denied stealing the air conditioners and stated he has plenty of money and flashed approximately $2,000. A query of Banks’ information revealed his license status was revoked due to lack of child support payments and as a habitual traffic offender. Banks also had an open case for shoplifting. The woman also has a history of shoplifting.

Banks was placed under arrest on charges of violation of city ordinance possession of a dangerous weapon, larceny under $1200, license revoked as HTO. During a pat frisk, a folding knife with a 4-inch blade was located clipped to his right pocket.

The woman will be summonsed for Larceny under $1,200. Both the woman and Banks were trespassed for three years from Home Depot.