Serial shoplifter popped in O'side, claims to be a fed

Tom C. Vuong, 50, allegedly made a ruckus at the Walmart on the corner of College Boulevard and Highway 76 on December 15. He was arrested for his actions.

According to testimony given in court on December 31, Vuong was approached by store employees who suspected he had made a fraudulent return. In response, Vuong is said to have loudly claimed to be part of the FBI and CIA; then he accused a store employee of working for the KGB and being an “Al-Qaeda operative,” according to Oceanside police officer Robert Sarracino.

Vuong was observed entering the Walmart with nothing in his hands. He allegedly took two items off store shelves — a space heater and a large container of antifreeze — and then walked them over to the service desk and presented an old receipt, according to a loss-prevention officer.

The employee claimed he had seen Vuong perform the same routine at least twice before, but this time he was careful to document the fraudulent activity on surveillance video. Vuong became “very loud and agitated” when he was approached and “began swearing,” the employee said.

“He steals with impunity,” San Diego County prosecutor Brandon Owens told the judge. Vuong has a history of theft and fraud, according to the deputy district attorney.

Vuong was ordered to answer one felony charge of commercial burglary, also known as shoplifting. The value of the "returned" items was about $40, but Vuong’s prior criminal history bumped the charge up to a felony, according to the prosecutor.