Man tries to sneak 58-inch TV out of Walmart during shop-with-a-cop event

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — A man who tried to do some Christmas shopping at a Walmart in Port St. Lucie is now in the slammer, in part because some deputies were also doing some Christmas shopping for kids.

Police say James Walsh tried to walk out of Walmart with a 58-inch television on Monday. Unfortunately, he didn't pay for it.

Surveillance cameras followed the shoplifting suspect as he strolled around the store with the huge TV box in his shopping cart. He has his phone to his ear, waiting for his opportunity to get outside.

Investigators say a store "asset protection officer" tried to stop Walsh before he walked out the store. Police said Walsh ran back into the store and left through another exit.

Unfortunately for him, deputies with the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office were at the store for a shop-with-a-cop event. Several ran after him. They had him in custody in no time.

Walsh admitted to stealing a TV at the same store the day before, according to police. He's been charged with grand theft, resisting merchant, and resisting officer without violence.