Cross-dressing decoy helps in Kinko's shoplifting spree

Police are looking for a pair of shoplifting ladies and the cross-dressing man who allegedly served as their decoy while the women stole batteries and computer software from a 24-hour Kinko's in Harvard Square.

Officers responded to Kinko's at 1 Mifflin Place for a report of shoplifting early Saturday morning.

The night manager told police the front door is locked at night and the manager unlocked the door to let in two women and a man dressed as a woman at about 12:50 a.m., according to police reports. The cross-dressing man began to talk to with the manager while the two women went upstairs in the store and stuffed about $150 worth of CDs, batteries and small, miscellaneous items into their backpacks, according to reports.

Then, the three alleged shoplifters ran out the front door, setting off the alarm as they made their getaway. The suspects fled on foot toward Mount Auburn Hospital, according to police reports.

The suspects are described as two white, heavyset women with piercings on their face and a white man dressed as a woman.

The night manager told police he wasn't exactly sure which items were stolen. Police are expected to review the store's surveillance video.

- Cambridge Chronicle