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MANDEVILLE, La. (WGNO) – A former Barnes & Noble employee has been placed under arrest. He’s accused of stealing merchandise to stock his online business.

Investigators believe Tomas Santamaria stole more 700 items over a three year period; mostly novels and DVD’s.

“How’d he get away with that? That’s the major question,” Ruby said.

Customer Blair Aguda said, “He can just walk in and steal all of that stuff and no one caught him, no one suspected anything, ever?”

Police say loss prevention managers caught on back in July.

Subpoenas were issued to search Santamaria’s home, computer, and bank account.

“He made out good until he got caught,” Mandeville Police Lieutenant Gerald Sticker said.

Detectives say Santamaria allegedly sold the stolen merchandise on eBay, then used PayPal to funnel cash into his checking account.

Police say the 10-year, part-time employee drew in more than $40,000.

“As to what he did with that is anybody’s guess,” Sticker said.

Long-time customers are surprised to hear the missing merchandise had a retail value totaling $46,000.

“For like a book, I’d say it be around $15 dollars, CD can be around $12 dollars to $20, so that’s a lot,” Zach Arykirby said.

“I think it’s terrible and I hope he gets what he has coming to him,” Ruby said.

“After three years someone should have taken action, someone should have noticed it, suspected at least something, some kind of fraudulent activity,” Aguda said.

Santamaria was booked with money laundering, computer fraud, and theft.

Investigators are checking to see if the crimes date back further than three years.