MILLBURY, MASS. (WHDH) – A Massachusetts police officer has been suspended and is facing criminal charges after allegedly stealing from several Target stores, including a location in Millbury.
Zachariah Kent was caught on video stealing more than $800 worth of items several times between January and September of this year, court documents allege. Prosecutors say he only scanned some items in his shopping cart and would not scan others.
Police say Kent went unnoticed for months until he was caught red-handed at the Millbury Target on September 24. After his arrest, they identified him as a suspect in at least 23 shoplifting incidents, 11 of which occurred at the Target in Millbury.
State police addressed the allegations in a statement, saying in part: “The Massachusetts State Police does not tolerate theft or dishonesty, and we hold our members accountable to the highest professional standards. When these disturbing allegations came to our attention, the department immediately relieved the accused soldier of duty, opened an internal affairs investigation and suspended him without pay following his duty status hearing….”
Attempts to speak with Kent about the allegations were unsuccessful.
He has no other previous disciplinary history.
This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.
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