BOISE - A Meridian elementary teacher and state senate hopeful has been charged with felony burglary.

Boise Police says authorities responded to a report of a theft at a retail store on the 8300 block of West Overland Monday at about 1:30 p.m. Store employees tell police that they witnessed the suspect leave the store without paying for several items. He then apparently went back into the store to steal more items, BPD says.

Police say O'Neal is suspected of stealing video games and a Nerf toy gun.

Officers believe the suspect, John O'Neal entered the store with the intent to commit the theft resulting in the burglary charge. The suspect was transported to the Ada County Jail.

O'Neal is a fifth grade teacher at Chief Joseph Elementary School.

Eric Exline, Meridian School District spokesman, says the district has not taken any action, but will decide by the end of winter break.

Exline says O'Neal, who goes by his middle name of Rob, was placed on administrative leave earlier this year after an altercation on a playground involving a student. After investigating that incident the district reinstated him for the school year starting in August of 2009. He has been teaching since then.

Police never charged O'Neal with a crime in the playground incident that happened in April.

The Idaho Republican Party says it was notified that John O'Neal had intended to be a candidate for the District 19 State Senate seat in next year's election. That seat is currently held by Sen. Nicole LeFavour.

A website announcing his intent to run is currently not accessible. The Idaho Republican Party said it does not know if O'Neal still plans to run.