Shortly after mid-day last Wednesday, April 13, a Boston police officer on foot patrol in the South Bay shopping center encountered a suspected shoplifting incident in the Best Buy store. A pair of individuals allegedly lifted a set of headphones and ran out of Best Buy. The officer, still on foot, gave chase.
The chase proceeded out of the shopping center, down Boston Street, and ended on Songin Way between Boston Street and Dorchester Avenue. Meanwhile, the officer giving chase radioed ahead for back-up. Some half-dozen police cars sped through Andrew Square, blue lights flashing, and blockaded the Dorchester Avenue end of Songin Way.
One suspect was quickly apprehended. The other tried to worm his way under a parked car to hide. In doing this, he somehow injured his knee and could not walk. He was handcuffed and laid in place, in evident pain, until an EMS vehicle arrived to take him to Boston Medical.
As it happened, Boston Police Department Capt. John Greland – who until recently commanded South Boston’s Station Six and now works out of BPD Headquarters – was performing staff inspections in the area. He also answered the foot patrol officer’s call and confirmed the above details. It was a massive reaction to an enforcement issue, as well as good police work.
Police cars block off the end of Fr. Songin Way, where it intersects Dorchester Avenue, as they close in on a pair of alleged shoplifters. (Photo by Rick Winterson)
