On February 5, 2019, at approximately 20:00 hours, I was contacted by Saks Loss Prevention Associate, XXXX, regarding a female shoplifter who had just concealed fragrances and left the store. I made my way to Saks, where I obtained a picture of the suspect and viewed surveillance footage of the incident, while Officer Schneider searched the area. As soon as he received the surveillance image of the suspect, Officer Schneider was able to identify the female as Jennifer BOUTIN; a known shoplifter he and other Somerville Police Officers had dealt with at Assembly Row on multiple occasions.
At approximately 20:35 hours, I observed BOUTIN walking in the area of Canal Street, not far from Saks. I observed her to be carrying the same brown purse and jacket she had in the Saks surveillance footage; however, she also had a reusable TJ Maxx bag that appeared full. Based on my training and experience, I know many shoplifters utilize reusable bags to conceal merchandise. As soon as she saw my cruiser, BOUTIN attempted to evade me by walking in the opposite direction, and entering another store. Officer Schneider and I apprehended BOUTIN as she exited the store, and I immediately observed that she appeared nervous. Her face was wet with sweat, though she was only wearing a sweatshirt and leggings, and the temperature was in the upper 40’s, and she attempted to walk past us without making eye contact.
A search of BOUTIN’s purse revealed merchandise from multiple stores, none of which she had receipts for, as well as two pairs of pliers. Based on my training and experience, I know these types of pliers are commonly used by shoplifters to remove theft detection devices. In addition, I located broken sensors inside both her purse and jacket. A search of BOUTIN’s jacket also revealed a large hole she had cut into the inside lining, in which she had stuffed stolen merchandise. Without even opening her reusable TJ Maxx bag and another plastic bag she possessed, I could see they were stuffed full of merchandise, some with hangers still attached. Inside the sweatshirt she was wearing I located additional children’s clothing. In total, I located stolen merchandise from Saks, Polo/Ralph Lauren, Gymboree, Oshkosh, Banana Republic, and Bath and Body Works.
Most of the stores at Assembly Row had closed, but I was able to calculate an approximate price of $1560.65 in stolen merchandise. Officer Schneider and I were able to obtain receipts for the stolen merchandise from Saks, valued at $493.97, and Polo/Ralph Lauren, valued at $489.43. I will be conducting follow-ups at the remaining stores during my next shift, to obtain receipts for their stolen goods.
BOUTIN has a lengthy criminal history, with multiple larceny/shoplifting charges, some of which she has done jail time for. As she came to Assembly Row with the intent to steal, and stole from 6 stores during this one incident, which lasted no longer than an hour, she was placed under arrest for Larceny over $1,200 by Single Scheme, and Possession of a Theft Detection Removal Device. She was handcuffed (double-locked), and transported to the station in Unit 200, where she was booked in the usual manner.
Respectfully submitted,
Officer Reece
#325