Walmart shopper bought two pairs of jeans for $4 – then she was stopped by workers and the police were called

A WALMART shopper bought two pairs of jeans for just $4 – before being stopped by suspicious staff.

Cops were called after the fuming customer “yelled” when questioned about her cheap purchase in Ohio.

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The Cleveland.com police blotter said the alleged theft occurred at the Walmart in Market Place Drive on November 10.

Staff claimed to have seen a female shopper, aged 53, switching price tags on November 10.

It’s alleged that she had used a tag for a child’s $4 shirt to ring up two pairs of jeans – each priced at $18 – at the self-checkout.

But when the woman, from Warren, was questioned about the purchase, she reportedly shouted at employees, before leaving with the jeans.

Cops from the Bainbridge Township Police Department were called to investigate.

However, as police arrived, another man entered the store with both pairs of jeans.

He explained that he was with the woman, but had forgotten his wallet and was returning home to retrieve it, the police blotter added.

The BTPD cited the woman for theft and possessing criminal tools to commit the theft.

ALLEGED THEFT

The website also highlighted another alleged crime this month, at the same Walmart outlet.

It said that a 40-year-old woman was spotted clutching numerous items in her hand while heading towards the self-checkout on November 11.

But, she allegedly scanned just one item – and bagged handfuls of merchandise.

Police were called again, and the Twinsburg resident was cited with theft.

She allegedly had unpaid store merchandise valued at $270.44 in her possession.

SELF-CHECKOUTS

Walmart has recently revealed it is looking for better ways to combat shoplifting in its stores.

Its admission comes after current and former workers have opened up about experiences with customers at self-checkout machines.

However, many stores across the States are finding it hard to combat theft, which can sometimes lead to violent confrontations between thieves and employees.

“Retailers are seeing unprecedented levels of theft coupled with rampant crime in their stores, and the situation is only becoming more dire,” said David Johnston, the vice president for asset protection and retail operations at the National Retail Federation.

Both incidents at the Walmart outlet in Ohio come as disturbing stats show that retail theft costs $430 a year for every resident in just one US state.

Hard-hit firms are passing on charges to unfortunate shoppers – who have to shell out more dollars as a result of spiralling criminal activity.

ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME

Following rampant theft at chains such as Best Buy and Target, Forbes dug deep to find out which states are reporting the most retail burglaries and robberies.

It found that 90 per cent of small business retailers nationwide have experienced theft at their stores so far in 2023.

Forbes added: “The state with the highest average total value of stolen goods per capita is Pennsylvania, where the total value of stolen goods is $430 per capita.

“Fifty-six per cent of retail small business owners said they anticipate theft during the 2023 holiday season.”

Just two months ago, Target made the shocking announcement that it would shut down nine stores in major cities due to unprecedented crime and theft.

These include closures in New York City, Seattle, and Portland, after Target CEO Brian Cornell warned that historically high crime rates could force other execs to make tough decisions.

“We cannot continue operating these stores because theft and organized retail crime are threatening the safety of our team and guests, and contributing to unsustainable business performance,” Target said in a news release.

https://www.the-sun.com/news/9651321/walmart-shopper-bought-jeans-stopped-workers-police/