By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to the Home Depot store on Mystic Ave. last week on reports of a shoplifter.

Upon arrival, the officers were met by the store’s loss prevention officer, who stated that he observed a man walk inside of the store, pick up a box containing an electric angle cutter saw, then walk over to the outdoor garden section of the store and proceeded to exit, passing all points of sale, with the electric saw.

The loss prevention officer intercepted the man and escorted him to the loss prevention office until the police arrived.

The loss prevention officer also said that he had witnessed this male in the store the day before, where he had entered the store, only to walk out with another electric angle cutter saw without paying.

The loss prevention officer stated that each saw was valued at $599, coming to a total value of $1,198.

The man was identified as Thomas Murphy, of Malden.  Somerville Police dispatch confirmed that Murphy had a default warrant out of Boston District Court.

Murphy was subsequently placed in handcuffs and transported to the Somerville Police Headquarters where he was booked in the usual manner on multiple charges of larceny under $1200, and on a warrant charge of conspiracy to violate drug law.