Frazer police nab man for driving stolen vehicle, theft at Walmart

Frazer police say a North Versailles man drove to Walmart at Pittsburgh Mills on Wednesday in a stolen vehicle and, while at the store, took merchandise he didn’t pay for then tried to return the items for cash.

Brandon Jamar Murray, 40, faces a felony charge of receiving stolen property as well as other charges of theft by deception, unauthorized use of automobiles, theft by deception of false impression and drug possession.

Just before 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27, Frazer police and Walmart security employees were viewing video surveillance footage of Murray at Walmart because, police wrote in Murray’s criminal complaint, he “was trespassed and had priors for retail theft in Walmart.”

While watching Murray via the video surveillance footage, officers saw him take $126.37 worth of items from shelves and place them in his cart, then take the items to the customer service desk and try to return them in exchange for money. Murray did not pay for the merchandise, police said.

Walmart security stopped Murray and had him step into their office, police said. A Frazer officer escorted Murray back to his vehicle.

Through county dispatchers, officers learned the vehicle Murray was in possession of was stolen from Pleasant Hills, police said. The officer arrested Murray.

Murray told police he had a small amount of methamphetamine in his left sock, which police found, court documents said.

According to online court records, Murray is awaiting a preliminary arraignment.