Police: Montgomery Co. officer repeatedly stole from Walmart where he worked as security guard

A Montgomery County police officer is accused of repeatedly stealing from a Walmart in Germantown, where he worked as a security guard.

Investigators say a loss prevention employee at the Walmart reported that the officer, 25-year-old Jose Barahona, had stolen items from the store, which is located on Frederick Road. The alleged theft took place on February 2, but the Walmart employee who reported it told police he believed Barahona had also stolen items from the store on other occasions, while working as a security guard there.

After reviewing surveillance video from the store, investigators found that Barahona had "engaged in a continuing course of conduct of stealing items" from the store between December 23, 2017 and February 3, 2018.

Barahona was hired as an officer with the Montgomery County Police Department in October 2014, and has served as a patrol officer in the 4th District. He is separately employed by an outside company that provides security services to the Walmart store.

Barahona faces theft charges, and as a result, has been suspended from MCPD with pay, pending the investigation.