BUTLER TWP — A former Walmart employee responsible for catching shoplifters is accused of swiping candy, food and other small items while on the job.

Butler Township police on Wednesday charged 51-year-old Helen M. McIlvaine-Johnston of Freeport with 16 summary counts of retail theft.

Police allege McIlvaine-Johnston between Feb. 6 and April 3 while working as a loss prevention officer at the Butler Commons’ Walmart, took merchandise a little at a time.

In all, the items totaled just $64. Food goods were the primary target.

“A corn dog, deli food, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Mountain Dew, watermelon chunks,” said police Detective Thomas Vensel, listing some of the items that McIlvaine-Johnston allegedly took.

Sometimes she would eat the food at work, he said. Other times, near the end of her shift, she would take the munchies with her when she left the store.

Police were notified after managers at Wal-Mart matched the timing of the thefts when McIlvaine-Johnston used her employee discount card for transactions at the store’s self-checkout registers.

Vensel said the defendant, during those suspicious transactions, paid for some items while failing to pay for one or two others.

The alleged thefts ranged from $1 to $12.30. The largest single theft consisted of cupcake and baking pans.

McIlvaine-Johnston, who was terminated from her job, worked at the Butler Township store for at least 2½ years.

As a loss prevention officer, her duty was to apprehend shoplifters and work with police in prosecuting the thieves.

Vensel admitted he was surprised when he learned the suspect’s identity in his investigation.

“Helen was good at what she did,” he said, referring to her former job.

McIlvaine-Johnston, who made no statement to police, could not be reached for comment.