SAUGUS — Police Chief Domenic J. DiMella reports that the Saugus Police Department is investigating after a man shoplifted from a store and then stole the taxicab that had brought him there in the first place.
At approximately 6:45 p.m. Sunday, Saugus Police received a 911 call from someone at DICK’S Sporting Goods, 1201 Broadway, who reported that a male had fled the store, possibly carrying merchandise.
The investigation indicates that the suspect arrived at the store via taxicab, which picked the suspect up in Lynn and drove him to the Square One Mall location. The suspect went into the store and emerged about five minutes later carrying three expensive jackets, valued at a total of $879. The taxi driver, saw that his fare was being chased by another man, and the driver attempted to flee the area. However, as he attempted to back out of a parking space, the suspect smashed through the driver’s side window and attempted to jump through the window, onto the driver’s lap.
The suspect managed to open the driver’s door using the interior door handle. Once the door opened, the suspect pulled the victim out of the cab, and the suspect drove away toward Essex Street in Saugus.
The suspect is described as a white male in his mid-to-late 30s with graying brown hair and a goatee (chin hair only). He was wearing a black jacket and gray hat. No weapon was shown.
The taxi has not been recovered as of 9:30 a.m. Monday. It is a 2008 gray Ford Fusion with a Massachusetts Taxi license plate “412C.”
The suspect will have a notable hand injury from breaking the glass.
The taxi driver declined medical attention.
Anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident, or who encounters the taxi, is asked to immediately call their local police department or Saugus Police at 781-941-1199.
