Man charged in thefts from Best Buy, Walmart
CRANBERRY TWP — Although Black Friday was more than two weeks ago, township police said two men tried nabbing steep discounts Sunday night.
James K. Miller, 44, of New Castle, is accused of being involved in the thefts of a gaming system and two computers from both Best Buy and Walmart around 8 p.m.
Police said he “conspired with” Jeffrey Norris Jr. to take the devices without paying at both stores.
Norris had not been charged as of Monday evening. Miller faces two felony counts of retail theft, along with charges of receiving stolen property, unlawful possession of theft instruments and possession of drug paraphernalia, all misdemeanors.
According to police, Miller entered Best Buy and asked staff members questions about merchandise and store credit cards, while Norris took a PlayStation 4 and a Lenovo tablet from the store.
Officer Edward Steinmetz's affidavit states that Norris placed the PlayStation in an old Best Buy bag and concealed the tablet.
Police said the two left the store without paying for the items and proceeded to Walmart. While there, the affidavit states, Miller cut spider wrap off an HP Pavilion desktop computer and placed it in a shopping cart before exiting the store without paying.
According to police, Norris put two televisions in a cart, but abandoned it before leaving the store.
Steinmetz's affidavit states that Best Buy management called police around 8:20 p.m., leading police to Walmart, where they found a car occupied by Miller in the parking lot.
In the backseat, police said, were the PlayStation, the tablet and the computer. The total value of the items is more than $1,100, according to the affidavit.
In addition to the allegedly stolen merchandise, police said they found a crack pipe, hypodermic needle and metal cooking spoon in the car occupied by Miller.
Miller remains in Butler County Prison in lieu of $5,000 bail. Court records do not indicate if he is represented by an attorney.
