SAN JOSE (KRON) — A Santa Clara police officer is on paid administrative leave after he allegedly shoplifted a watch from a Target store while off-duty.
Santa Clara police Officer Kiet Nguyen, 48, has served 24 years with the department and has been on leave since May 16, Santa Clara police Lt. Kurt Clarke.
On May 16th, San Jose police responded to a report of someone shoplifting at the Westgate Center Target located at 1600 Saratoga Ave. around 3:40 p.m., San Jose police Sgt. Enrique Garcia said.
A Target loss prevention employee detained Nguyen who was found with a $250 smartwatch that he had concealed on his person.
The loss prevention officers saw Nguyen take the watch by disabling its locking device with a magnetic key and wire cutters, Garcia said.
Nguyen was cited for two misdemeanors including shoplifting and possession of burglary tools. He was later released, according to Garcia.
“We are sad to hear that one of our officers was arrested and are awaiting the outcome of the criminal investigation,” Clarke said.
Nguyen was in the patrol division before he went on leave and has previously served in the investigations division, Clarke said.