Smithfield Man Faces Felony, Misdemeanor Charges In Shoplifting Case

GARNER — A Smithfield man was arrested Friday afternoon after Johnston County sheriff’s deputies responded to a reported shoplifting at Tractor Supply.

Authorities said Kevin Daniel Johnson of N.C. Highway 210 entered the store at 4255 Veterans Parkway around 1:06 p.m. and allegedly left without paying for a BB gun valued at $55 and an $18 box of CO2 powerlets.

Store employees contacted the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office.

A deputy located Johnson nearby riding an electric bike.

According to authorities, Johnson told officers he had forgotten to pay for the merchandise.

During the investigation, store officials also reported finding another BB gun inside the store with damaged packaging. Authorities said the packaging had allegedly been tampered with in an effort to remove an anti-theft device.

Johnson was charged with felony larceny by removing or destroying an anti-theft device, misdemeanor larceny and misdemeanor damage to property.

He was held under a $30,000 secured bond.

The stolen merchandise was recovered.