An eastern Pennsylvania police chief says a New Jersey state trooper asked an officer not to arrest him on shoplifting charges by mentioning he worked on New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie�s security detail.

An attorney for 35-year-old William Carvounis, of North Brunswick, N.J., confirms the trooper has worked on Christie�s security detail but denies he asked for special treatment. He also denies that Carvounis shoplifted items from the outdoor retailer Cabela�s near Hamburg, Pa., on Jan. 8.

But Tilden Township police Chief William McEllroy tells The Associated Press, �That is absolutely what occurred.�

Police say the trooper asked repeatedly for a break on charges involving merchandise worth about $268, saying he didn�t want to lose his job.

The arrest was first reported by NewJersey.Watchdog.org, a news website run an investigative reporter.

(AP)