A UNIFORMED cop was caught swiping donuts and different gadgets from Walmart self-checkout utilizing the trick referred to as skip scanning.

The now former Kansas Freeway Patrol trooper and Nationwide Guard chaplain was busted for shoplifting on obligation, stuffing his luggage with gadgets whereas on obligation.

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Ex-officer Mark Leenerts pleaded responsible to theft and official misconduct, costing him his badge and touchdown him on probation.

Leenerts, who resigned from the pressure amid the probe, was in the end sentenced to 12 months probation.

He stole $317.88 price of merchandise from Walmart shops in Topeka, The Topeka Capital Journal reported.

He used a self-checkout rip-off the place he pretended to scan gadgets, stacked merchandise collectively to ring up only one, or used sleight of hand to bag un-scanned items.

The disgraced trooper pulled the stunt at the least 13 occasions between June and September 2023, typically whereas sporting his uniform and carrying his obligation weapon.

Investigators stated he stole all types of things, from Hawaiian rolls and Lunchables to Oreos, Bomb Pops, M&Ms, Gatorade, deodorant, and even pet food.

Regardless of already being on administrative depart, Leenerts struck once more, this time in his Nationwide Guard uniform, sneaking away with three further bins of doughnuts.

The Kansas Fee on Peace Officers’ Requirements and Coaching revoked his certification final month, declaring he failed to satisfy ethical character requirements for legislation enforcement.

Topeka Police launched the investigation after Walmart’s asset safety staff flagged repeated thefts at two shops.

A detective reviewing surveillance footage noticed Leenerts bypassing the scanner and evaluating receipts to the bagged gadgets, confirming his rip-off.

Authorities say he was cautious, if he unintentionally double-scanned one thing, he known as over an worker to appropriate it however by no means made that mistake with unscanned gadgets.

Leenerts’ crimes value him his profession in each legislation enforcement and the Nationwide Guard, the place he served as a chaplain for the a hundred and ninetieth Air Refueling Wing.

A Fb submit from the a hundred and ninetieth Air Refueling Wing of the Kansas Air Nationwide Guard at Forbes Discipline signifies that Leenerts had been the wing’s chaplain.

“The Kansas Nationwide Guard is conscious of Captain Mark Leenerts’ conduct and have actively engaged our staff to correctly deal with this matter,” Jane Welch, a spokesperson for the Adjutant Normal’s Division informed The U.S. Solar.

“We’re unable to offer additional particulars presently as a result of that is an lively personnel concern.”

Kansas Freeway Patrol stated they backed each the felony investigation and the certification evaluate that in the end led to his downfall.

Leenerts ducked the division’s inner probe by resigning, avoiding additional scrutiny throughout the company.

The Kansas Nationwide Guard acknowledged his misconduct, however officers declined to remark additional, citing personnel points, reported The Topeka Capital Journal.

Choose James Crowl handed down his probation sentence with an underlying year-long jail time period if he violates his launch phrases.

On prime of probation, Leenerts was slapped with a wonderful matching his stolen items’ worth and extra court docket charges.

Roughly a full web page of the police affidavit stays redacted, leaving some particulars about what he stated to officers below wraps.

It comes as one other Walmart shopper from North Carolina has been banned from all the retail chain’s shops after he was caught utilizing a trick to steal.

Brent Adam Brooks was arrested on January 28 after making an attempt to steal a Frigidaire ice maker.

In one other case, a girl was caught on safety cameras utilizing an outdated watch battery barcode to scan costly merchandise for simply $1 from a Walmart in Tennessee.

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