By Jim Clark

A Somerville Police officer was dispatched to the Nike Factory Store at Assembly Row last week on reports of a shoplifter.

Upon arrival, the officer spoke with the store manager who said that she observed a man inside the store, later identified as Anthony Dimeco, who appeared to be intoxicated, conceal a pair of shoes underneath his shirt.

At that time Dimeco was asked to remove the items, which he did, and the store manager then called the police. The manager pointed out Dimeco as he was trying on another pair of shoes.

The officer approached Dimeco and informed him that the store management wanted him to leave the store.

Nike management was satisfied in trespassing Dimeco and recovering their property so he was advised that the officer would be filing a criminal complaint application against him for shoplifting by concealment and that he should go home.

Approximately 10 minutes later, Express Factory Outlet reported to police that there was a suspicious person in their fitting rooms trying on merchandise.

Responding officers entered Express and observed Dimeco exiting the fitting room. He was asked to step outside and as they exited the store the alarm sounded. A search of Dimeco revealed no Express merchandise but a theft detection device was located in his pocket that he apparently removed from the items he tried on there.

Dimeco briefly broke free from police and attempted to run while handcuffed. He made it approximately 20 feet before running out of his shoes and falling to the ground. He was subsequently apprehended and taken in for booking on charges of shoplifting by concealing merchandise and resisting arrest.