Mobile officer accused of shoplifting

MOBILE, Alabama (WALA) - A Mobile man is no longer an employee at the Mobile Police Department after an allegation of theft. Authorities said the former policeman was involved in an incident at the Walmart on Cottage Hill and Dawes Roads.

Paying customers constantly come in and out of the Walmart, but Mobile Police said one of their own apparently wasn't among them.

"We were contacted by Walmart that we had an officer that was involved in a theft. It occurred back on January 5. They had apparently caught an officer that was attempting to steal an item from their store," Officer Christopher Levy said.

FOX10 News learned of the incident, and police confirmed to us that the officer is Corporal Jackie L. Quinnie.

"Walmart made an internal report, contacted us and we began an investigation," Levy added.

Officer Levy said their investigation ended when Quinnie retired from the department a few weeks later. Police said the former officer was not arrested because of how much the item cost.

"It was an item less than $25. So being a misdemeanor case, it's entirely up to the store whether or not they want to prosecute. Their policy is they don't do that. The police don't arrest with misdemeanors unless they actually witness the crime, except in cases of domestic violence," Levy added.

Although a criminal report was never made, police said it was unfortunate one of their own was accused.

"You never want people to do this, but officers they are people, and people make mistakes and it's unfortunate. I believed him to be a good officer. I'm sure he wanted to continue to work here as a police officer. Something silly could end his career and it's disappointing, and he made a mistake and that's all there is to it," Levy said.

Levy said Quinnie was not on duty at the time of the incident.

The former officer served more than 20 years on the force.