By Jim Clark

Police were called to the Target store on Somerville Ave. last week on a report of a customer’s bicycle being stolen.

Loss prevention personnel played back surveillance video showing a juvenile arriving at the store on a bicycle and locking it to the bike rack. He is next reportedly observed taking another bicycle from the rack and riding away with it.

The owner of the stolen bike reportedly told police that he had constructed the bike himself and that it was valued at $500.

The investigating officer recognized the suspect and proceeded to his home on Kilby St. where he was spotted standing in front of his residence.

The officer reportedly noted that the suspect was wearing the same clothing that was seen on the store surveillance video.

After calling in backup, the suspect was approached and questioned. The stolen bicycle was reportedly located inside the residence.

The suspect was placed under arrest and charged with larceny over $250, but reportedly protested that since the bicycle he had taken was not locked to the rack that he was entitled to take it.

The victim reportedly told police that the bike was locked, but the lock was found on the ground after the bike was taken.

Surveillance video also reportedly caught the suspect later returning to the store to pick up his own bike.