Man arrested after hiding in Fairfield Walmart past closing time, trying to leave with cash

Toraine Norris -- The Birmingham News

December 02, 2009, 6:09PM

  A Mississippi man took holiday shopping to a whole new level last week, police in Fairfield said.

  Police said James Jefferson Jr. hid inside the Walmart on Aaron Aronov Drive on Nov. 25 shortly after the store closed at 11 p.m. and helped himself to $54,000 in cash and checks.

A store security guard subdued Jefferson after he went to the locked doors and attempted to get out. As Jefferson shook the doors, money bags from the store began falling out of his clothing, police said.

  When officers arrived they found money strapped to Jefferson's chest, in his backpack and in his pants. Officers also confiscated a duplicate key from Jefferson he used to enter the cash room.

  Jefferson, 35, also told police "I did not do this by myself. You are a cop, how do you think I got the key?," according to the police report. Police have not said whether they think he had an accomplice.

  Chief Pat Mardis said Jefferson likely could have made an escape if he had only waited for the employees who were stocking the store to unlock the doors.
  "They said if he had waited about 20 more minutes, he could have been gone for good," Mardis said. "But he got nervous."

  Jefferson was in the Jefferson County Jail this afternoon on robbery and burglary charges. His bond was set at $60,000.

  Mardis said Jefferson is facing the robbery charge because he told the security guard he had a gun and threatened to shoot him. Jefferson did not have a gun.