A local Walmart employee found himself on the wrong side of the law Monday morning after being accused of stealing merchandise.
John Sowers, 28, an overnight associate at the Walmart located at 2001 U.S. Highway 1, was apprehended by loss prevention officers around 6:40 a.m. and subsequently arrested by the Sebastian Police Department.
According to police, surveillance footage revealed that Sowers had stolen from Walmart on at least 16 separate occasions since May 14, 2024. The majority of the stolen items were food, including chips, sandwiches, and frozen meals.
The total estimated loss to the store is nearly $80.
Police said Sowers concealed items during checkout to avoid paying for them in full. When questioned by authorities, Sowers declined to comment.
He was booked into the Indian River County Jail on a charge of retail theft.
