MANILA, Philippines -- A grocery bagger apparently took the phrase ?bring home the bacon? too literally and was caught Thursday night allegedly trying to smuggle out a pack of bacon from his workplace.

James Charles Asuncion, 23, an employee of the Isetann Department Store Carriedo branch, of Marulas, Valenzuela City, was charged with qualified theft before the city prosecutor?s office.

Manila Police District (MPD) Sta. Cruz Station 3 reports revealed that Asuncion was caught literally ?bringing home the bacon? during routine inspection at around 9:30 p.m. of employees conducted by security personnel of the department store.

Isetann representative Edwin Bernales claimed that a 400-gram package of honey-cured bacon worth P220 was found by security personnel concealed inside Asuncion?s lunch box.

Bernales immediately instructed department store security men to turn over the grocery bagger to the custody of the police.

During inquest proceedings, Asuncion admitted to trying to steal the pack of bacon, reasoning out that he was simply imitating what his colleagues have been doing except that he was caught.