A WOMAN has been accused of stealing $9,000 worth of goods from a number of stores by simply walking out with a cart-load of items.
Sandra Dee Allen, 55, allegedly stole thousands of dollars worth of items from stores including Walmart, Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Best Buy.
Allen, who goes by the surname Hudson, has been accused of committing more than two dozen thefts, according to police and court documents.
The Texas woman was arrested on Thursday, May 25, in connection with 21 felony theft cases.
Among the items stolen were plants, cigarettes, sheets, cleaning supplies, cosmetics, electronics, and tools, Yahoo News reported.
Odessa Police Department issued arrest warrants for Allen on May 17 and 19.
According to records, police believe that Allen walked out of a Best Buy on multiple dates in January of this year with shopping carts filled worth $4735.69, $1195,97, $1358.07, and $699.98, respectively.
Texas Department of Public Safety records also show that Allen has been arrested on charges related to burglary, trespassing, stolen car, and assault charges and has served a number of sentences in prison.
Organized retail crime has become an increasing issue across the US.
The roll-out of self-checkout machines across the country has seemingly contributed to the issue.
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According to Mike Mathews, a representative from the National Retail Federation, organized retail crime is a “burgeoning threat.”
He warned: “These highly sophisticated criminal rings jeopardize employee and customer safety and disrupt store operations.”
Target has said that merchandise theft cost the store millions of dollars this year.
David Moon, a retail specialist, told Knoxville News Sentinel that this level of left will impact consumers.
In a recent press release, the retail giant said that theft will amount to $500 million more in stolen and lost merchandise than the year previously.
“Retailers must increase their prices in order to absorb the cost of stolen inventory,” David Moon said.
Target’s CEO said: ” We’re not alone in seeing a trend that has gotten progressively worse over the last 12 to 18 months.”
https://www.the-sun.com/news/8257888/female-felon-self-checkout-steal-walmart-home-depot/