Harambee Park cricket team: 1, Knife-wielding thief: Nil

Boston Police report a Dorchester man who tried swiping a backpack from a member of the UMass cricket team during a practice at Harambee Park yesterday got about a half mile on foot before officers found him, the backpack and the knife he allegedly displayed at team members who were chasing him.

Police say that officers responded to Harambee Park shortly before 6 p.m on a report of an armed robbery:

Upon arrival, officers spoke with members of the University of Massachusetts Cricket team who stated, while they were practicing in the park, they observed the suspect, later identified as, Kenneth Velasquez Garcia, 18, of Dorchester, grab one of their backpacks and flee on foot. As the team gave chase, the suspect brandished a knife.

Officers located Kenneth Velasquez Garcia at Standish Street and Kingsdale Street where they recovered the backpack and a knife from his waistband area. The suspect was positively identified and placed under arrest.

He was charged with armed robbery, police say.

Innocent, etc.