Man arrested after allegedly stuffing tablets down pants at Target

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — A 30-year-old-man was arrested after allegedly trying stuff electronics down his pants at a Target in Bloomfield Township. 

Bloomfield Township police were dispatched to the Target at 2400 S. Telegraph Road for a reported retail fraud at 2:55 p.m. Nov. 11. The loss prevention officer reported that the male suspect, later identified as Shaquille Hodges Matthews, was stuffing electronic tablets into a backpack and down his pants.

Upon arrival, officers located Matthews, who reportedly was sweating and quickly walking through a closed register and past all open points of purchase. He was stopped and placed under arrest, police said. 

According to police, a search of Matthews revealed one Amazon tablet in his waistband and an unopened pair of scissors in his pants pocket. Three more tablets — one Amazon and two Samsung — were reportedly found in his backpack. All the merchandise was inside their packaging, unopened, with the security sensors still attached.

Police said that “in a Mirandized interview” Matthews allegedly stated that he intended to steal the merchandise in order to pay a debt to his ex-girlfriend. The stolen merchandise, according to police, was valued at $718.52.

Matthews was arraigned Nov. 12 for second-degree retail fraud at the 48th District Court. He received a $5,000 bond. Matthews did not have an attorney on file at press time.