Thursday evening, Boston Police Officers working the South Bay Shopping Detail were called to Target by loss prevention staff for a reported shoplifter. Officers made contact with the male, who they were familiar with due to his habitual shoplifting to pay for his drug addiction, and took him into custody. After speaking with the store’s staff and the suspect Officers were faced with a serious dilemma: to charge him or release him.
Offices spoke to the man and learned his story, about his addiction and his continual tries to get clean and reunite with his family. After a long conversation the man agreed to let the officers take him to a nearby treatment center where he could receive the treatment he needed.