Police: Man with 16 prior theft convictions faces felony charge for stealing from Frazer Walmart

Tony LaRussa | Tuesday, April 26, 2022 12:58 p.m.

A Homestead man who police say has 16 previous convictions for theft was charged with a felony and barred from all Walmarts because, authorities said, he tried to steal $134 worth of lighters, batteries and golf balls from the store in Frazer.

Robert Carl Harris, 57, of the 100 block of West 15th Avenue, was charged with felony retail theft, as well as theft by deception and defiant trespass, by Frazer police in connection with the Friday, April 22 incident, according to court records.

Police said Harris also was wanted on an arrest warrant in Monroeville when he was taken into custody. He was released from jail after posting a $5,000 unsecured bond, court documents show.

Harris faces a preliminary hearing on the charges before District Judge David Sosovicka on May 9.

Police said they were called to the Walmart in the Pittsburgh Mills compound after security officers said they saw Harris take $112 worth of golf balls from a shelf and exchange them for a gift card, according to a criminal complaint.

Harris also was seen hiding lighters and batteries in his clothing before walking past the registers without paying, the complaint said.

Company officials told police Harris had previously been banned from any Walmart store after he was caught stealing from the store in West Mifflin.