A 36-year-old man involved in an “organized” theft ring is accused of pistol whipping and hospitalizing a Maricopa Walmart employee who tried to stop him with stolen property, police said. 

Joshua K. Randall is charged with robbery, aggravated assault, organized retail theft, shoplifting and theft at the Walmart store on West Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway. 

A Maricopa Police Department probable cause statement dated Oct. 31 said Randall, along with two other suspects, entered the store and began collecting items to steal. Randall was seen on surveillance camera walking around the store and talking to two other men.  

The two other suspects are seen walking out of the store at about 10:36 a.m. toward a small white SUV. One of the suspects passed all points of sale with an electric scooter, police said. The other is seen getting into the same vehicle. 

Randall, with a white laundry basket full of stolen items, tried to leave the store when he was confronted by the employee, police said. Randall turned around and dropped the basket and his cell phone by the exit door. The employee picked up his cell phone. 

That’s when Randall produced a rifle from his shirt, which was later determined to be a BB gun and told the employee he was going to shoot him, police reported. 

He struck the employee in the head and face with the BB gun, police said. The victim was transported to a local hospital and was treated for a concussion and a leg injury. 

Randall then picked up the basket and walked to the white SUV where the two other suspects were waiting in the parking lot, police reported. The vehicle then sped away. 

Cops arrested Randall nearly a month after the alleged crimes of Oct. 7. Randall refused to talk to police, instead asking for an attorney. 

Randall faces more than 20 years in prison on the charges.