A Terre Haute man faces multiple charges after investigators alleged he participated in the theft of more than $1,100 in merchandise from the Linton Walmart and later lied to officers during the investigation.

James Czarnecke, 27, was arrested Aug. 2 and and faces preliminary charges of Level 6 felony theft when the value of property is between $750 and $50,000 and Class B misdemeanor false informing. A warrant for his arrest was issued on July 22.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Walmart Asset Protection contacted the Linton Police Department around 11 p.m. July 18 after a woman later identified as Kora Vanness allegedly left the store with unpaid merchandise and entered a silver Chevrolet Tahoe. Officers located the vehicle a short time later and conducted a traffic stop on County Road 90 South.

Police believed a front-seat passenger had fled the vehicle before officers approached. Investigators allege Czarnecke, along with driver Megan Robertson and another passenger, falsely told officers no one had been sitting in the front passenger seat. Czarnecke also allegedly told officers he had not been inside Walmart.

While speaking with the occupants, officers observed Walmart merchandise with store tags still attached inside the vehicle. Officers later found Vanness hiding near the vehicle after she allegedly fled on foot.

According to the affidavit, investigators initially released Czarnecke from the scene. However, after reviewing Walmart surveillance footage, police alleged the video showed Czarnecke entering the store with Vanness and Robertson and participating in selecting merchandise. Investigators allege the footage shows Czarnecke placing merchandise into shopping bags, selecting additional items in the tool department and assisting in removing security devices from electronics before leaving the store shortly before Vanness exited with two bags of unpaid merchandise.

Police allege surveillance video also showed Czarnecke waiting inside the running Chevrolet Tahoe while Vanness loaded the stolen merchandise into the vehicle before the group drove away. Walmart reported the recovered merchandise was valued at $1,152.64 and included electronics, clothing, shoes, tools, a vacuum, camera equipment and collectible sports cards.

Vanness was arrested on July 19 on charges of Level 6 felony theft, Level 6 felony possession of methamphetamine, Class A misdemeanor possession of a schedule I, II, III, or IV controlled substance, Class A misdemeanor resisting law enforcement, and Class C misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia, according to court records. Robertson was arrested July 23 on a warrant for Level 6 felony theft, Level 6 felony assisting a criminal and Class B misdemeanor false informing.