Boston man charged after allegedly stealing more than $55K in merchandise from multiple Targets

A Dorchester man was arrested Tuesday in connection with the alleged theft of more than $55,000 worth of merchandise from Target stores across the country, Boston police said.

Long Tran, 54, is charged with shoplifting by asportation of more than $250 and trespassing, according to police.

Investigators allege Tran attempted to steal 27 bottles of lotion from the Target store at South Bay Plaza around 4:49 p.m. by concealing the items inside a large duffel bag. He was stopped by store loss-prevention personnel before leaving the store without paying, according to officials.

Police said Tran had previously been banned from the South Bay Plaza Target in November.

Investigators said Tran is suspected of stealing more than $55,000 worth of merchandise from Target locations across multiple states. Police did not release details about the merchandise involved in those cases.

Tran is expected to be arraigned in South Boston District Court, police said.

Morgan Rousseau is a freelance writer for Boston.com, where she reports on a variety of local and regional news.