A Calhoun County correctional officer is facing criminal charges after authorities say he stole Pokémon cards from Walmart over the weekend.

The reported theft happened about 7 p.m. Saturday at the Oxford Walmart.

Calhoun County Sheriff Matthew Wade said Officer Josh Hardy had just completed his shift at the jail and was still in uniform.

“It is with great embarrassment that we have to report this incident,’’ Wade said Monday, “and Hardy has been terminated from the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office.”

Walmart’s loss prevention employees observed Hardy opening multiple packs of Pokemon cards, and he was placing the individual cards in his pockets, the sheriff said.

Hardy began to leave the store without paying for the items, and he was confronted by the store’s loss prevention officers.

When confronted, Hardy fled from the store on foot.

Oxford police responded and found Hardy at a local restaurant with the stolen Pokemon cards in his possession. He was arrested for theft and placed in the Oxford City Jail.

“He has tarnished our agency and the image of all law enforcement,’’ Wade said. “As sheriff, I promised to be transparent and hold my staff accountable to a standard higher than average citizens.”