Hadley-Luzerne Graduate Arrested After Walmart Heist Despite Lifetime Ban

Hadley-Luzerne Graduate Arrested After Walmart Heist Despite Lifetime Ban

By Staff Reporter | HadleyLuzerne.com Journal | April 14, 2025

Lake Luzerne, NY – A once-promising local native and graduate of Hadley-Luzerne High School is now facing felony charges after allegedly stealing merchandise from the Wilton Walmart—despite being permanently banned from the store.

Joseph E. Nunez, 50, of Lake Luzerne, was arrested Friday by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office following a warrant issued by the Wilton Town Court. He is charged with burglary in the 3rd degree (a class D felony) and petit larceny (a class A misdemeanor).

Nunez, a lifelong resident of the Hadley-Luzerne area, was once a familiar face on the soccer field and in the school auditorium. Classmates remember him as a “charismatic guy who always kept things interesting.” But over the years, sources say, his life took a darker turn.

According to the Sheriff's Office, the alleged theft occurred on March 22, 2025, when Nunez entered the Wilton Walmart and attempted to walk out with multiple items without paying. Store security recognized him immediately as someone banned from the premises due to past incidents—raising questions about how he managed to enter the store at all.

“He didn’t just steal,” one employee claimed under condition of anonymity. “He strolled in like he owned the place. It was bold—almost cinematic.”

Nunez was arraigned before the Honorable Chad Jerome in Wilton Town Court and released to pretrial services under New York’s current bail reform laws. As per the 2020 changes, the charges do not qualify for bail, meaning Nunez will remain free pending his next court appearance.

Some community members are calling the incident a wake-up call. “This is a guy who walked the same halls our kids do now,” said one Hadley-Luzerne parent. “It’s sad. But it's also a reminder—your choices matter.”

As the legal process unfolds, many are left wondering how a small-town graduate with deep Adirondack roots ended up at the center of such a high-profile arrest.

Nunez did not comment when reached by our reporters.