Santa Clara cop charged with stealing watch

A Santa Clara police officer has been charged with petty theft for allegedly stealing a $250 watch from a Target store in San Jose, authorities said.

Officer Kiet Nguyen, a 24-year department veteran, was spotted by Target loss prevention officers taking a $250 smart watch off the shelf of the store at the Westgate Center about 3:40 p.m. May 16, said Sgt. Enrique Garcia, a San Jose police spokesman.

Nguyen, 48, who was off duty, used a magnetic key and wire cutters to remove a locking device and hid the watch as he went to the register to purchase other items, Garcia said.

The security officers followed Nguyen as he walked outside the store and detained him until police arrived, authorities said. Santa Clara County prosecutors have charged him with petty theft and possession of burglary tools, both misdemeanors. He is on paid leave.

Henry K. Lee is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: hlee@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @henryklee