Man who shoplifted at Walmart caught with stolen goods by TJ Maxx security, police say

A man who shoplifted $156 worth of merchandise from a Walmart was caught with the stolen goods by a security officer at a nearby TJ Maxx, officials said.

Jihad M. Kearney was being detained at the TJ Maxx store at 3962 Nazareth Pike, Bethlehem Twp., Northampton Co., at about 4 p.m. Wednesday, when Joseph Lappine discovered 14 items that were not from his store, officials said.

Lappine suspected the items were taken from a nearby Walmart, so he called police, officials said.

Kearney admitted to police he had taken the item, including an air gun; two containers, each with 500 paintball refills; two 90-gram CO2 cylinders; one 12-gram CO2 cartridge; a bag of six Hanes tank tops; a bag of T-shirts, and four loose T-shirts, officials said.

Kearney, 20, of 1769 Shimer Ave., Bethlehem, was arraigned on a retail theft charge and released on his own recognizance, according to court documents.

A preliminary hearing is set for 10 a.m. Feb. 27.