Backpack cologne napper nabbed with bottles!
The store’s Loss Prevention personnel allegedly observed Matthew Joseph Campbell, 19, of Park Hall, place items of merchandise into his pants pockets via video surveillance.
Police report that Campbell then entered the employee locker room and retrieved his backpack. Campbell left the camera’s view for a short period of time before returning his backpack to the locker room. In accordance with store policy, Loss Prevention officials subsequently searched the backpack without Campbell’s knowledge and found numerous bottles of men’s cologne belonging to Belk. Loss Prevention personnel stopped Campbell as he left for the day with his backpack containing store merchandise.
Police say Campbell admitted to stealing additional items of merchandise to include men’s cologne and a surround sound system. Campbell estimated he had stolen approximately $2500.00 worth of merchandise over the past month.
During a further search of Campbell’s backpack, a metal grinder containing an amount of suspected marijuana was found inside. Campbell was placed under arrest and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center by Corporal Goodwin. He was charged with Theft Scheme: Less Than $1,000.00, Theft: Less than $1,000.00, Theft Scheme: $1,000.00 to Under $10,000.00, Possession Controlled Dangerous Substance – Marijuana Less Than 10 Grams, and Possession Controlled Dangerous Substance Paraphernalia.