Search on for accomplice in shoplifting scheme targeting Walmart
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PUYALLUP, Wash. -- Police are looking for an accomplice in a prolific shoplifting scheme targeting Walmart stores.
A child is part of the scheme that allows thieves to walk away with cash instead of shoplifted items.
It starts with a cash receipt found discarded in the Walmart parking lot. The receipt is as good as gold to this pair of who, with a child present, have hit at least eight Walmarts in the region.
"She presents the merchandise. She presents the receipt. There's nothing for the employee to question," said Puyallup Police Det. Mike Lusk.
The cash for those items is handed over, and the crime is complete.
The thieves have walked away with varying amounts, from $25 to nearly $250.
"Not a lot of cash, but when you start adding up incidents over time that can be a significant loss," said Puyallup Police Capt. Scott Engle. The thieves have taken more than $880 so far.
Alert Walmart employees have finally caught on to what was happening, and were waiting when the pair returned.
Sarah Loftin was arrested and charged with theft and forgery. William Foster is being sought as her alleged accomplice.
It is believe the child who was seen with couple belongs to them. Police are eager to arrest Foster to find out for sure.
A Walmart spokesperson said the company takes shoplifting very seriously, but would not say whether any new loss prevention tactics have been put in place.
Police urge shoppers to properly discard their receipts.
A child is part of the scheme that allows thieves to walk away with cash instead of shoplifted items.
It starts with a cash receipt found discarded in the Walmart parking lot. The receipt is as good as gold to this pair of who, with a child present, have hit at least eight Walmarts in the region.
"She presents the merchandise. She presents the receipt. There's nothing for the employee to question," said Puyallup Police Det. Mike Lusk.
The cash for those items is handed over, and the crime is complete.
The thieves have walked away with varying amounts, from $25 to nearly $250.
"Not a lot of cash, but when you start adding up incidents over time that can be a significant loss," said Puyallup Police Capt. Scott Engle. The thieves have taken more than $880 so far.
Alert Walmart employees have finally caught on to what was happening, and were waiting when the pair returned.
Sarah Loftin was arrested and charged with theft and forgery. William Foster is being sought as her alleged accomplice.
It is believe the child who was seen with couple belongs to them. Police are eager to arrest Foster to find out for sure.
A Walmart spokesperson said the company takes shoplifting very seriously, but would not say whether any new loss prevention tactics have been put in place.
Police urge shoppers to properly discard their receipts.
Is it really wise to describe exactly how it's done so others can do it too?
Usually Wal-Mart greeters catch you as you walk in with an item to return, and mark the receipt and put a sticker on the item. I guess the people at customer service were just acting in good faith when they honored returns on receipts that didn't have a mark on them and items with no sticker.
@spacegoddess some Wal-Mart no longer have door greeters, the one in Lakewood has done away with them; makes it easier for the less than honest people out there.
Hopefully they loose custody of the child and he can grow up not being an unwitting accomplice.
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I thought thats why walmart has always tagged all returns going in the front door, so you can bring a receipt in and grab something off the shelf.
Being a thief is just wrong, but if it has to, it couldn't happen to a better corporation.
 @komoispropaganda Yes, God forbid the working classes get more for their money than at Crate and Barrel or Whole Paycheck Foods...
 @Sid Vishess  @komoispropaganda They get more China made, toxic, sweatshop produced, lead-based crap for their money. Go Walmart!!Â