By Ian Bush

TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) — One of Governor Chris Christie’s bodyguards has suspended without pay from the New Jersey State Police, charged with shoplifting in Berks County, Pa.

A state police spokesman says that William Carvounis, 35, was assigned to the executive protection unit and had been on Christie’s security detail.

But police in Tilden Township, Pa. — north of Reading and west of Allentown — say last month the trooper stole nearly $300 in gun supplies and other merchandise from a Cabela’s sporting goods store.

According to the complaint, “During the course of his shopping, (Carvounis) would place items in his shopping basket. While walking around and continuing to shop, he would take various merchandise out of the package and conceal in his pockets…He would discard the empty packages on shelves throughout the store.”

Security video also caught Carvounis tearing the price tag from a Cabela’s hat, which he wore while trying to leave the store.

When caught, police say, Carvounis invoked his position, asking again and again for a little professional courtesy — to let him off so he wouldn’t lose his job.

Now that job is in jeopardy as he faces retail theft charges.

A lawyer for Carvounis says his client neither shoplifted nor asked for special treatment.