Lynn Walmart worker charged in thefts

LYNN – A Walmart employee was allegedly caught stealing more than $800 worth of merchandise last month, some of which, police say, he stashed in the store’s freezer for later while other items were wrapped in tin foil and lifted on the spot.Viet Nguyen, 51, of 53 Savin Hill Ave., Dorchester, was charged with seven counts of larceny to a building and arraigned Tuesday at Lynn District Court by Judge Elizabeth Cremens. He was released on personal recognizance and ordered to stay away from Walmart. A pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for June 17.According to court documents, police responded to Walmart, located at 780 Lynnway, on a report of an employee allegedly caught stealing merchandise. A loss-prevention employee at the store told police that Nguyen allegedly stole several items from April 3-10. He said Nguyen caught his eye after he found an empty Dell laptop computer box in the rear of the storage area. He said he then began reviewing surveillance videos, which allegedly show Nguyen bringing the computer box into a freezer area on April 3 and then walking out of the freezer with an empty box.Later that same day, the employee alleged that Nguyen took a JVC camcorder valued at $199 out of the returns area, again walked into the freezer with it and then took a $5.97 pocket knife and a $15.48 flashlight.The loss-prevention employee confronted Nguyen about the thefts, who admitted the accusations were true but later denied several other thefts allegedly caught on surveillance.Based on the surveillance video, police say Nguyen kept tin foil and brown lunch bags stashed in the store’s aisles and would take the merchandise and wrap them in foil, place them in the bags and exit the store at the end of his shift.Other items that Nguyen allegedly wrapped up and stole were $4.97 socks, $19 glasses, a $5.97 Glade Air candle, a $69 hard drive, a $249 Nintendo DS, a $95 Texas Instruments calculator and a $59 wireless router.Nguyen was also charged with stealing two packages of brown paper bags valued at $2 and one roll of foil for $1.22. Police say Nguyen was fired from Walmart and given notice not to return.