Grand larceny charge for man accused of stealing from Wal-Mart

A Heuvelton man was charged Monday with felony fourth-degree grand larceny, accused of stealing more than $3,000 worth of merchandise and food from his employer, Wal-Mart, during a 10-month period last year.

Ogdensburg police arrested Scott Marino, 44, of 4500 Route 812, at 8:24 a.m. on a city court warrant. He was arraigned in court, released to probation supervision and will be back in court on Feb. 16 with legal counsel from the St. Lawrence County Public Defender’s Office. He reserved his right to a preliminary hearing.

According to court documents, Mr. Marino stole $2,478 worth of merchandise and $750 worth of food from Wal-Mart, 3000 Ford St. Extension, between February 2011 and November. He eventually admitted his alleged wrongdoing to his superiors at the store, court documents said.

“I’m from the bottom of my heart so sorry,” he said in his statement to police.

The stolen non-food items included hunting and fishing equipment, video games and apparel.

Mr. Marino said he began at first taking food.

“I could no longer afford food because I was no longer eligible for food stamps,” he said, adding that he took the food to the store employee break room to eat it.

“I could never finish the food because I felt so bad for taking it,” he said. “But I would realize that I had no food at home, so I would take the rest of the food home because I was starving.”

Mr. Marino said he took the video games for his son.