Vineland, NJ, Man Gets 7 Years for Walmart Employee Attack

• The Walmart employee sustained serious injuries, including a brain bleed and concussion, in the assault

A Cumberland County man is headed to prison for assaulting a Walmart employee in the summer of 2023.

After previously pleading guilty to a second-degree charge of aggravated assault, 50-year-old Shawn C. Thomas of Vineland was sentenced on March 16, 2025, to seven years in state prison.

Vineland Walmart Worker Assaulted

The Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office says on July 28, 2023, officers with the Vineland Police Department were called to a Walmart on West Landis Avenue for a report of a 56-year-old employee who had been assaulted by a customer and was unconscious.

Walmart loss prevention personnel provided police with surveillance footage that showed Thomas pass through the self-checkout registers without paying for all of the items in his cart.

According to the prosecutor’s office, Thomas struck the employee, causing him to fall unconscious to the floor. Thomas then left the store.

The victim sustained serious injuries, including a brain bleed and concussion.

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Nearly 6 Years Must Be Served Before Parole

Thomas will be required to serve 85% of his sentence, nearly six years, under the No Early Release Act before becoming eligible for parole. Once out, he will be under parole supervision for three years.

The State was represented by Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey Krachun. The attorney of record for Thomas was Wayne Powell, Esq., whose office is in Cherry Hill.

Chris Coleman, a South Jersey native, is the brand manager for WPG Talk Radio 95.5 FM and afternoon on-air personality on WPUR Cat Country 107.3 in Atlantic City, NJ. He joined the station in February 1998 and covers news, events, and stories of interest across Southern New Jersey for Townsquare Media. Story tips: chris.coleman@townsquaremedia.com