A former Christiansburg police officer was recently arrested for shoplifting at Walmart for the second time in as many years.
Donald Cromer, 54, has been charged with misdemeanor shoplifting from the Christiansburg store Sept. 9.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office was asked to take over the case by the Christiansburg Police Department to avoid a conflict of interest, according to town spokesperson Melissa Demmitt.
Much of the police report from the sheriff’s office has been redacted since Cromer has yet to appear in court. However, it does list the items that the former officer is accused of stealing: two bottles of peroxide, two bottles of weed killer, paper towels, a laundry basket and a 28 quart cooler. The items are valued at $59.74.
Cromer faced similar charges in September 2016, according to police records. Approximately 32 items were taken from the store including food, pillows and car cleaner as well as other household items totaling $187.25.
Although the exact details of the latest theft are unknown, theft prevention employees at the Walmart caught the 2016 incident on camera.
The store contacted law enforcement, which questioned Cromer at his home where he admitted to taking the items, ultimately giving them back to the officer to return to the store. Walmart management still decided to press charges.
This case, also handled by the sheriff’s office, resulted in Cromer completing 25 hours of community service and six months of probation, according to court records.
He is again being represented by David Rhodes and set to appear in court Dec. 3.
Cromer was an officer with the Christiansburg Police Department from 1989 until he retired in 2014, according to Demmitt.