When you’re launching a new business, it can be a good idea to keep your day job so you can keep some steady income as well as any benefits you might have. However, you should avoid the worker-to-owner transition that one Brooklyn man made. He allegedly stocked his little store with merchandise that he took off the shelves of the TJ Maxx store where he worked.

He didn’t get away with it mostly because of his lack of subtlety. Backing his van right up to the store doors and loading it up with merchandise? Not subtle. Putting items on the shelves with part of the original TJ Maxx price sticker intact? Not subtle.

“Over time, he systematically stole inventory by simply backing up his van to the TJ Maxx after closing and removing what he wanted,” the district attorney explained in a press conference. Authorities estimate that he had about $130,000 worth of merchandise in his store and currently waiting in the van. That doesn’t count items already sold. Another important question is whether the store paid sales tax on the stolen items that it resold.

The aspiring entrepreneur was arrested on charges of grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, and possession of burglar’s tools. He could get up to 15 years in prison.

DA: TJ Maxx Employee Raided Merchandise To Re-Sell At Own Store [CBS New York]

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