By Jim Clark

Two brothers entered police headquarters last Friday to report that they had a lead on a stolen motor scooter that had been taken from one of them.

They reportedly told police that they had located the missing scooter being advertised on the OfferUp Internet sales site and had made arrangements to meet with the seller. The brothers wanted police to help retrieve the stolen scooter.

According to reports, the brothers had expressed interest in a different, more expensive scooter that the seller was offering in order to divert suspicion that they were looking to retrieve the stolen property.

Police arranged to set up a sting, planning to catch the seller with the stolen merchandise.

The brothers reportedly negotiated with the seller and arranged for a time to meet and examine the offered merchandise. Additionally, they managed to make a deal with the seller to purchase both scooters, including the one stolen from the reporting parties, for a set price.

A meeting was set up for a location on Mt. Vernon St. at approximately 9:00 p.m.

Police instructed the brothers to park their vehicle across the street from the meeting spot and remain in their vehicle for their own safety.

At the prearranged time a vehicle pulled up and parked near the brothers’ car. A man, later identified as Carnell Solomon, of Randolph, exited his vehicle and approached the brothers for a brief conversation.

Solomon then reportedly ran into a nearby alley and rolled out one of the scooters.

Police responded immediately and took possession of the scooter while holding Solomon for questioning.

A search of the alleyway turned up two additional scooters, one of which was the reporting party’s stolen property.

At first, Solomon reportedly claimed that the scooters belonged to his father, then later said they belonged to a friend.

He was placed under arrest and charged with receiving stolen property over $250.