A Calhoun County Correctional Officer is himself facing criminal charges after authorities say he stole Pokémon cards from Wal-Mart over the weekend.
The reported theft happened about 7:00 Saturday at the Oxford Wal-Mart. Calhoun County Sheriff Matthew Wade stated Officer Josh Hardy had just completed his shift at the jail – and was still in uniform.
On Monday, the sheriff stated – “It is with great embarrassment that we have to report this incident,” – adding “Hardy has been terminated from the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office.”
Wal-Mart’s loss prevention employees observed Hardy opening multiple packs of Pokemon cards, then placing those individual cards in his pockets. Hardy began to leave the store – without a payment for the items and he was confronted by the store’s loss prevention officers.
When confronted, Hardy fled from the store on foot.
Oxford Police responded, and found Hardy at a local restaurant with the stolen Pokemon cards in his possession.
He was arrested for theft and placed in the Oxford City Jail.