Frank John Walker Jr. of Salisbury was convicted today in Rowan County Criminal Superior Court of felony larceny by removing/destroying/deactivating an anti-theft inventory device and misdemeanor second-degree trespass.

Walker admitted to his status as a habitual felon and Judge Joseph N. Crosswhite sentenced him to a minimum of 77 months (6.41 years) to a maximum of 105 months (8.75 years) in prison.

On Jan. 25, 2014, officers responded to Walmart in Salisbury in reference to a larceny. A loss prevention officer for Walmart told officers that he observed Walker take two watches from the jewelry section and place the watches into his coat.

According to the loss prevention officer, Walker then went into the bathroom and removed the anti-theft sensors from the watches using a pair of nail clippers. As Walker was leaving Walmart, he was detained, and the two watches were recovered. Officers located a third stolen watch in the right sleeve of his coat. The watches had a value of approximately $52.72.

Walker had previously been convicted of felony second-degree rape, felony uttering a forged instrument, and felony attempted breaking and/or entering, among other convictions, including numerous counts of misdemeanor larceny and shoplifting.

Rowan County District Attorney Brandy Cook said she appreciated the work of Assistant District Attorney Barrett Poppler in removing another repeat offender from the community. Cook said if Walker was not prosecuted as a habitual felon by her office, he could have received as little as a 12 month active prison sentence.