On Wednesday, February 6, 2019, while assigned to marked unit East-2, I, Officer Ashley Catatao, was dispatched to Market Basket, located at 400 Somerville Avenue, for the report of a shoplifter. Marked unit East-1 was also dispatched.

Upon arrival, I observed one of the employees, XXXX, and the store manager, XXXX, approach a white male, later identified as the defendant, Matthew Eithon. XXXX and XXXX observed Matthew eating food he had not paid for, and concealing other food items in his jacket pockets.

We escorted Matthew upstairs to the office where East-1, Officer Fusco, searched Matthew’s coat while I searched Matthew himself. Officer Fusco recovered several food items from Matthew’s coat such as a package of olives, stuffed peppers, cold cuts, bread, sausage, and buffalo chicken pasta. The amount of food Matthew had consumed and attempted to steal amounted up to $63.20. Matthew claims he is homeless and that he was stealing because he was hungry.

Matthew was placed under arrest and transported to the Somerville Police Department in marked unit 200, where he was booked by the shift commander. Matthew is being charged with the following:

– Ch. 266/S30A – Shoplifting by Asportation

The food that was not consumed was returned to Market Basket and Matthew was issued a formal trespass by the store manager.

Respectfully submitted,

Officer Ashley Catatao #299