1 Count: SHOPLIFTING BY CONCEALING MDSE
1 Count: RESISTING ARREST 

Narrative: 

On Friday, April 3rd, 2026, I was working my assigned 4PM to 12AM shift in the East-2 cruiser. At approximately 4:30PM, I was dispatched to Target (180 Somerville Avenue), along with Officer David Ruf (East-3), for a shoplifter. The following is a summary of the incident:

The reporting parties were the Target Loss Prevention Team, Mr. XXXX and Ms. XXXX. They stated that the suspect, later identified as Mr. James Hamblin entered the store around 4:13PM. At 4:22PM, she noticed Mr. Hamblin select a Champion duffel bag off the shelf. He then put all of the merchandise he had previously selected, that were in his hands, into the duffel bag. He then placed the duffel bag into a reusable Target shopping bag that he entered the store with. He then proceeded into electronics, where he selected two items and placed them into the jacket he was wearing. He then concealed other electronics into the duffel bag.

Mr. XXXX and Ms. XXXX stated that they stopped Mr. Hamblin in the exit vestibule, after he passed all points of sale, without making any effort to pay for the items he concealed. Ms. XXXX identified herself as Target security and asked Mr. Hamblin to proceed with her to the office. Mr. Hamblin refused and ran out of the door, towards the loading dock.

As I pulled into the Target parking lot, I could see and hear Mr. XXXX and Ms. XXXX screaming my name and that he ran towards the loading dock. I saw a white male wearing a black jacket and carrying a red target back, duck behind the trailers in the loading dock.

A white male then walked out of the loading dock area wearing a tan sweater and carrying nothing. After verifying no one was behind the trailer and noticing the black jacket and red bag in the loading dock area, I stopped the male, later identified as Mr. James Hamblin. I explained to Mr. Hamblin that we were going to grab the items, bring them into Target, identify him and that he would be on his way.

Mr. Hamblin refused to comply and refused to identify himself so I informed him that I would be placing him under arrest. I grabbed his right arm and told him to place his hands behind his back. As I attempted to put the right handcuff on, Mr. Hamblin swung his arm at me, almost striking me in the face, in an attempt to get free of the handcuff. I pushed Mr. Hamblin against the trailer in an effort to secure him. As this happened, Officer Ruf arrived and we placed handcuffs on him. My handcuffs had flown to the ground some feet away.

Mr. Hamblin concealed and shoplifted merchandise, totaling $260.03. The items included two speakers, two charging cables, lighters, underwear, towels, a sweatshirt, a duffel bag and pants.

Mr. Hamblin was informed by Ms. XXXX that he would be trespassed from Target properties in Middlesex County for one year.

Officer Timothy Sullivan, operating the prisoner transport wagon, Unit 200, transported Mr. Hamblin to the station to be booked for the following charges:

- 1 count of Massachusetts General Law C. 266/30A/E: Shoplifting by Concealment

- 1 count of Massachusetts General Law C. 268/32B: Resisting Arrest

Officer Sullivan informed me that Mr. Hamblin had no identification on him and he refused to be booked, provide his name, or get fingerprinted. Station Officers Marika Duval and Timothy Sullivan and myself then began calling the list of phone numbers in his pocket, in an attempt to identify him. After over a half hour of not being able to identify him, I spoke with Mr. Hamblin in the cell and he provided me with his name, date of birth and social security number.

After running a CJIS Query of Mr. Hamblin, it was discovered that he has a default warrant (Docket #: 2559CR000414) for drug possession.

After getting his information, Officers Sullivan and Duval attempted to book Mr. Hamblin for a second time but he again refused. Eventually, Mr. Hamblin was successfully booked by Sergeant Joseph Teves.

Respectfully submitted,

Officer Priscilla Ribeiro #349

Somerville Police Department