Thursday, November 1, 2018

Walmart Crime Report October 2018



There were at least seven shootings at Walmart this month, with two of them killing someone and several more wounded, and at least two more near by; there was also a high profile shooting killing two at Kroger's killing two more. There were at least ten additional gun related crimes, including several robberies, carjackings, and arguments. One of these incidents was a disgruntled customer outraged by the service that threatened to shoot employees. (Initially there were only six shootings listed in this report, however, a follow up article indicated that one of the dead bodies found in the parking lot was a result of a shooting during a carjacking gone wrong that wasn't reported by the media immediately after it happened.)

One of these incidents wasn't initially reported in easy to find stories, but drew additional attention when he was released from jail and threatened to commit suicide at a car accident and had a stand off with police for hours holding up traffic on the highway. There have been several other major stories that weren't initially reported, but drew additional attention later when they were arrested or follow up incidents happened. The most recent shooting last month, which happened in Canada, on the last day of the month didn't turn up in the usual searches but someone tweeted it to me from Twitter, otherwise it wouldn't have made it into this count. I don't know for certain but they might be getting more common.

We rely on the media to provide us with news about violence and crime so we can establish policies to minimize them; however they're funded by advertising, and Walmart has more crime problems than any other store and they provide more advertising to the media as well. There are some subtle, and often not so subtle signs to indicate that this funding may be creating a bias.

There were another three killers that were arrested at Walmart's around the country, two without incident, and another one that was tracked the suspects, who had shot a victim and threw him out of a moving care before fleeing, through their cell phones, and found them sleeping at Walmart at two thirty in the morning. they called in a SWAT team and used flash bang grenades to wake the suspects, although it's hard to imagine why they felt that necessary, since they obviously had them surrounded.

In addition to the death as a result of a shooting there were four more bodies found in Walmart parking lots, or one on the roof of someone working there that may have had an accident or medical incident, but cause of death wasn't reported. There was also a lawsuit about another death that didn't previously attract much attention, since he died days after an accident months ago and another report of someone dying from contaminated beef; but this beef which was recalled was also sold at other stores as well and reports don't indicate where it came from. There was another story about several retailers including Walmart "Phasing Out Paint Strippers linked to dozens of deaths," this was done "In the absence of government action;" if we still had a government interested in looking out for the best interest of the public, when they found out that chemicals were killing people instead of "Phasing" them out they would demand an immediate recall and take them off the shelf immediately. However now that the government seems to be a fully own subsidiary of the corporations that finance political campaigns they let those corporations call the shots despite the flimsy illusion of democracy we have left.

Walmart crime has been getting worse for decades, and there've been several studies, despite limited funding from large institutions to show that it's worse than other stores; however, instead of recognizing this years, if not decades ago, they've continued to expand without addressing these problems or recognizing the causes of them. Now after several attempts previously reported to privatize the justice system, including their "restorative Justice" system, which was a disaster and has been scaled back, they're turning their parking lots into growing surveillance areas with camera towers expanding at some the stores with the highest crime problems. Some of these cameras can supposedly, "read 'a UPC code sitting on a shelf'."



However instead of recognizing that some of the major contributing causes of these crime problems are cuts in services limiting the amount of employees, including at self-check out lanes, they're increasing some of the cuts and adding more automation, with new plans to allow people to scan and buy large items within the store during the holiday season, for starters, even though past efforts like this have lead to increased crime problem. Ironically, while they cut back on services that might help consumers, they seem to be increasing on what they call "security" to catch people stealing as a result of lack of help at the registers, which is a massive entrapment operation, paid for with tax payer dollars, since the court and prison system is paid for by tax payers, not Walmart.

In fact, they routinely negotiate lower tax plans when they move into town often giving them a competitive advantage over other business with less crime problems putting them out of business, and increasingly even suing local governments to get even more tax breaks!

The media and the police often ask the public for their help solving these crimes, sometimes even when it's as petty as stealing "salt and pepper shakers as well as other, unknown items" or thefts less than $100, clearly implying that the government often spends more prosecuting people for some of these petty thefts than the value of the merchandise stolen from Walmart. On one occasion a few years back a loss prevention officer chased and beat a man for stealing a fifty-nine cent doughnut. Occasionally in addition to spending large amounts of tax payer money for petty theft they also spend even more for lawsuits defending against excessive force.

It's not unreasonable to speculate about corporations trying to take full control of the government that pretends to regulate them!

One of the problems with this method of addressing crime may be to be more concerned about whether or not there appears to be more crimes based on reports, instead of whether or not there actually is more crime; on numerous occasions there have been employees told not to call police about certain incidents. This month there was another where a customer attempted to call 911 on a store phone when they saw an unconscious employee and a co-worker took the phone away saying they were aware of the problem, her husband responded by using his cell phone to make the call, but if store policies prevented a quick call it might endanger lives, as they're more concerned about appearances than safety!

They continue to have problems with shoplifter putting razor-blades in shopping carts, to cut packages, and leaving them there so customers get cut but it's only reported on a low profile manner so they don't catch it as quickly and there are more people getting cut. And another disgruntled employee was involved in an incident, yet there's no requirement to disclose their union busting activities or find out if they're inciting some of these incidents by pushing them too far, although there are plenty of other reports of constant lawsuits by workers who don't resort to extremes, although they don't have the same legal resources or political connections as Walmart. And another of the police officer caught switching price tags has turned himself in again. They even entrap the police who can often get away with excessive force even killing people but not shoplifting at Walmart.



Walmart had over a dozen crashes, chases, at least three carjackings, including one at gunpoint and another where the victim was hit in the head with a bag of rocks, and a couple hit and runs. At least a couple of these crashes were major wrecks leading to serious injuries, and two cars flipped, with one incident sending shoplifted beer jewelry and steaks all over the road after a crash.

There were almost a dozen if not over a dozen knife related incidents including robberies, stabbings, and someone attacked with a hatchet. They had at least two arsons this month and an old one went to court and resulted in a not guilty by reason of insanity. Perhaps it shouldn't be surprising, Walmart drives lots of people crazy. They also had someone leaving hazardous material at Walmart.

There were plenty of additional assaults including on police officers, loss prevention officers, other workers, customers, including an 82 year old man that was punched in the face. They had school board members form at least two southern states get caught shoplifting, and the local judge for one of them forced her to carry a sign in front of the courthouse saying she stole, so everyone would know about it. Some of these Southern tactics, including corporal punishment or other punishments designed to humiliate, have been proven to be a failure but that doesn't stop them from doing them over and over again.

In addition to the paint thinners that are being "phased out" because they caused deaths instead of recalled, there are additional recalls for a quarter million hatchets that are a safety hazard and three or four more recalls of food for legionnaires', salmonella, or other food poisonings. At least one of these has supposedly led to a death. Many of these were far less common with a diverse food supply but massive oligarchs are taking over pretty much all industries.

There have been several racists or bigoted incidents, including calling police on a black person for caring for white children, yelling at people for speaking the wrong language, perhaps even when they're talking to other people who understand the language, and demanding that a mother "gag" her baby, often on camera; and additional incidents where people were fired for alleged bigoted reasons.

Walmart is also taking increasing amounts of control over the health care system in a variety of ways, by merging with insurance or other health care companies. One of their justification is that "none of us wants to be Sears," but the rest of us have to think carefully about whether we want a company like Walmart to have increasing control of health care considering how incompetent they do everything else. This is especially true after stories that they may be blacklisting doctors, and optometrist organizations have also expressed their concerns recently.

Healthcare isn't the only thing Walmart is merging with, they're also buying up half a dozen or more other companies, at any given time creating an even bigger oligarchy controlling a growing amount of the economic system; and they often use their smaller subcontractors as scapegoats to take the blame even though they often respond to pressure from Walmart management. It's time to stop pretending that we still have a free market competitive system, which means if we want any accountability for government or corporations we need a different economic system.



Walmart continues to have more than their share of odd activities at their stores including an old man offering to buy a child form a customer, and later acting as if he doesn't know what's wrong with it, smashing pumpkins seems funny when Gallagher does it but they don't like it at Walmart, a shoplifting suspect telling the police to ‘Suck A Pink Cow Udder’ which she happened to be wearing, and of course deer have to shop somewhere too.

However, one job I don't want to be given is to find out who took a shit on the employees uniforms, nor do I want to be the police officer called in to investigate that one!

Hey I know exactly what you're thinking!

And I won't dignify it with a response!

However, it wasn't the naked shopper that did this, he wasn't even in the same state, and I'm not even sure why they care about that.

Strange things happen at Walmart!





In 2006 Wake Up Walmart did a study, "Is Walmart Safe?" based on incidents in 2004, (PDF) about crime at Wal-Mart which showed that it increased when Walmarts opened up and that crime was higher at Walmart than at other retailers. Since then Walmart Shootings began compiling a list of gun related incidents at Wal-Mart and demonstrated that they have a large number of them, including on average more than one shooting per week somewhere in the country. In January of 2014 another study, "Rolling Back Prices and Raising Crime Rates?" provided additional statistical research indicating that Wal-Mart might be contributing to higher crime rates or at least a slowing of the decline in crime. The study found that. “on average, communities with Walmarts had 17 more property crimes and two more violent crimes per 10,000 people than those communities without Walmarts.” I reviewed this more in Walmart’s crime problem, Rolling Back Safety more than prices? where I explained that although this study is helpful they could have done better with additional data that is available and I reviewed some of that. I also added my own review about why I think that Walmart policies have been contributing to higher crime in a previous blog, Walmart high crime rate continues un-investigaterd and have provided additional information under the author tag Walmart Crime Watch.

Stacy Mitchell has also compiled a list of other studies about Walmart and how they impact society, Key Studies on Big-Box Retail & Independent Business. To the best of my knowledge Walmart has done as little as they seem to get away with, often relying on rhetoric that isn't backed up with action, when it comes to addressing any of their critics concerns, including crime. One of the responses they’ve come up with is what they call "Restorative Justice" which gives first time shoplifters a chance to avoid being arrested or any criminal record if they take an on line course which costs $400 up front or $500 in payments, plus perhaps, reparations. This has been part of the privatization process and often denies suspects of the due process or access to a lawyer, perhaps even intimidating and extorting from some people that might not even be guilty. Walmart seems to be trying to find a way to turn crime into a profit making situation instead of looking for the most effective ways to reduce it. Making Change at Walmart is asking If you or someone you know has gone through @Walmart's "Restorative Justice" program for first-time suspected shoplifters, send us a DM. 03/30/2017 to ensure that it isn’t doing more harm than good. I did my own review of this program as well at Walmart’s “Restorative Justice” Endangers Public Without Reducing Crime. The following are a list of incidents that occurred in October 2018. According to the "Is Walmart Safe?" the average store in their sampling had 250 incidents per year, indicating that these are only a fraction of the crime reports at Walmart, and presumably, the ones most likely to make the news on the internet nationwide. This isn't statistically representative, as the 2006 or the "Rolling Back Prices and Raising Crime Rates?" study or some of the studies cited by Stacy Mitchell; but it does provide some additional information that may help recognize how many problems there are at Walmart.



Gary man and 9-year-old son injured in gang-related Sept. 30 shooting at Hobart Indiana Walmart, police say 10/01/2018

Police: Serial thief stole liquor from Ill. Walmart stores 10/01/2018

Antioch Ill. man charged with sexual battery at Walmart 10/01/2018

Man robs customer in Kernersville NC Walmart self-checkout lane 10/01/2018

KERNERSVILLE, N.C. — A man reportedly robbed a woman at a Walmart self-checkout lane in Kernersville.

At about 2:15 a.m. Monday morning, officers responded to a robbery at a Walmart at 1130 S. Main St.

Witnesses told police an unidentified suspect approached a customer in the self-checkout lane and took her wallet with force.

The victim told FOX8 she only had $14 in her wallet, but the man threatened to cut her. Complete article


Man, 81, Tried to Buy Woman's 8-year-old Daughter for $200,000 at Florida Walmart, Port Orange Police Say 10/01/2018

An 81-year-old man who allegedly offered to pay a mother $200,000 for her 8-year-old daughter in a Port Orange, Florida, Walmart store has been arrested, police have said.

Officials confirmed Monday that the suspect, named as Hellmuth Kolb, was booked into Volusia County Jail on September 29 after the mother, Tracy Nigh, reported the incident. The suspect was charged with battery and false imprisonment, Orlando’s WKMG-TV said.

Police said Nigh was approached by Kolb on Friday while sitting on a bench inside Walmart, on Dunlawton Avenue. The suspect initially asked her if she was married, before turning attention to the child. He allegedly asked if she would accept money in exchange for her daughter.

“The first amount was $100,000, the second amount was $150,000 and then the final amount was $200,000," Nigh said. “I then said ‘no, we have to go.’” When the pair then tried to leave, the suspect grabbed the girl’s arm and kissed her wrist, police added.

The mother told Walmart security what had happened before quickly leaving the store. Complete article

Man accused of trying to buy young girl at Walmart free on bail 10/03/2018 "I don't know what I'm here for," he said at his home.


Three men escape uninjured after shots fired near Ill. Walmart 10/01/2018

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) -- Three male victims escaped safely after police say shots were fired at their car on Saturday.

Police responded to a shots fired call south of the Walmart on Walton Street around 7:15 p.m. Saturday.

Police say the victims were smoking marijuana in a car in the 700 block of Gabriela Court. A suspect in another car pulled up and shot at their car three times. Complete article


Self-checkout is terrible: why Walmart, Target, and others still do it. Wouldn’t it be better if self-checkout just died? 10/02/2018

Yes! Because you won’t like what it spawns next.

Rochester, New York, is a notorious model of terrible urban planning and idiotic corporate sponsorship. On the underdeveloped side of the Genesee River, next to the bus station, sits the “National Museum of Play,” an odd institution founded by Margaret Woodbury Strong — a Rochester native who inherited millions of dollars and used it to collect thousands of dolls.

The museum has rotating exhibits, but its centerpiece is an elaborate model of a Wegmans grocery store, sponsored by Wegmans, which is owned by the Wegmans family, which is the area’s sole billion-dollar dynasty.

In the mini Wegmans “Super Kids Market,” children select groceries (plastic produce, but real cereal boxes and genuine Chef Boyardee cans) from real grocery shelves, put them in real (miniaturized) Wegmans shopping carts, ring them up on functioning cash registers with real grocery scanners, and print themselves real receipts with a real Wegmans logo at the top. .....

I saw a self-checkout in the Urban Outfitters in Herald Square and almost called the ACLU: Some lucky employee sits on a stool near the self-checkout stations and does nothing but remove ink tags from things before you buy them? Sure. What is a person if not just a slightly more dexterous arm than the ones that robots so far have?

Blessedly, I am not alone in fearing self-checkout. John Karolefski, a self-proclaimed undercover grocery shopping analyst who runs the blog Grocery Stories and contributes to the site Progressive Grocer, tells me, “I’m in a lot of supermarkets around the country. I watch people. I can tell you that I’ve been in stores where the lines that have cashiers are very, very long, and people are a little upset, and there are three or four self-checkout units open and nobody is using them.

“Wouldn’t the shopper be better served, customer service improved, if those weren’t there?” he asks. I’m not arguing. “Why do I want to scan my own groceries?” he asks. I have no idea! “Why do I want to bag my own groceries?” he asks. An equally reasonable question with no reasonable answer. The simple solution, he points out, would be to hire enough cashiers to serve the number of customers that typically shop at the store. I agree, and this seems very obvious. Complete article


Young boy injured after 2 vehicles collide outside of Tx. Walmart on State Highway 351 10/01/2018

ABILENE, Texas — A collision between two vehicles outside of the Walmart on State Highway 351 in northeast Abilene has sent at a young boy to the hospital on Monday afternoon.

At about 3:35 p.m. on Monday, emergency crews were called out to a two-vehicle collision with possible entrapment and multiple children inside of both vehicles involved.

When authorities arrived on the scene, a silver Honda minivan was found lying on its roof with its right side heavily caved in from being hit.

The silver Honda minivan, which was occupied by a mother and her two young daughters, had been T-boned on the right side while in a turning lane by a white Jeep Wrangler, which had run through a red light. Complete article


Bomb threat shuts down La Mesa Ca.'s Grossmont Center Walmart 10/01/2018

Rapides woman indicted, accused of shooting husband in La. Walmart parking lot in Sept. 10/01/2018

Millcreek Police need your help identifying this suspect, stole mattress from Pa. Walmart 10/0/2018

Man threatened to be banned after stealing from Berry Hill Tenn. Walmart, steals again 10/02/2018

Man allegedly tried to flee from Sand Springs Okla. Walmart with merchandise 10/01/2018

Hamburg Police looking for suspect in theft of items from NY Walmart 10/01/2018

Man Who Stole $3,115 in Computers From Pa. Walmart Sought 10/01/2018

Man made weekly Pa. Walmart trips for backpacks full of stolen formula, cops say 10/01/2018

Power outage temporarily closes Elkins WV Walmart 10/02/2018

Jacksonville Fla. Sheriff's Office searching for man who allegedly stole cellphone from Northside Walmart 10/02/2018

Queens man passed phony money at Walmart in Ulster NY, police say 10/01/2018

Beatrice Nebraska Police Make Shoplifting Arrest, After Investigating Merchandise Return 10/01/2018

Shoplifting at Goshen Ind. Walmart 10/01/2018 David Franklin, 38, Cromwell, was arrested by Goshen police and jailed on a charge of theft after police responded to Walmart, 2304 Lincolnway East, around 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

Rourke Sparks, 33, homeless, was arrested by Goshen police and jailed on a charge of theft after responding to a shoplifting call at Walmart, 4024 Elkhart Road, around 12:40 p.m. Sunday.

Victoria Martinez, 31, and Juana Sims, 28, both of 23695 Florence Ave., Elkhart, were arrested by Goshen police on charges of theft at Walmart, 4024 Elkhart Road, around 2:15 p.m. Sunday. Martinez and Sims were released at the scene with citations to appear in court.

Morgan County SO: Knife-wielding double homicide suspect shot 7 times in Walmart parking lot in May 10/02/2018

Missouri man who left bomb threat note at Walmart given probation 10/02/2018

Man, 26, charged in shooting at Ind. Walmart Sept. 30 in Hobart which injured 9-year-old boy and father 10/02/2018

Three accused of using stolen credit cards at Wilkes-Barre Twp. Pa. Walmart 10/02/2018

Reno Nevada Police Seek Suspect Of Multiple Walmart Burglaries 10/02/2018

Do you know Pa. Walmart shopper using stolen credit card info? (PHOTOS) 10/03/2018

Wreck at Cedartown Ga. Walmart sends 2 to hospital, one by airlift 10/02/2018

Police are still unsure of how a midday wreck in front of the Cedartown Walmart on Highway 27 occurred, but it sent one person to an Atlanta-area hospital and another to Redmond in Rome.

Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsome said officers were dispatched around 12:30 p.m. to the intersection in front of the Walmart Supercenter, where they found a pair of vehicles involved in a serious wreck, where one vehicle hit directly into the side of the other.

Newsome said he did not have all the details at the moment of what took place, and that police are still looking into the incident. He added that driver and passenger in one of the vehicles were taken to the hospital, one via an airlift to the Atlanta area by helicopter, and another by road to Redmond Regional Medical Center in Rome. Complete article


ALLEGED KY. WALMART SHOPLIFTER TAKEN INTO CUSTODY BY GPD 10/02/2018

Wallingford Conn. police: Man stole Pokemon cards from Walmart, led officers on foot pursuit 10/02/2018

After attempted theft, assault alleged at Eldersburg Md. Walmart, authorities trying to identify man 10/02/2018

Prince Frederick Woman Arrested After Caught Shoplifting at Md. Walmart Twice in One Day 10/02/2018

Man exposes himself to teen inside Raymore Missouri Walmart 10/03/2018

Equipment stolen from truck at Ga. Walmart 10/03/2018

Man pleads not guilty to robbing ND Menards, Walmart on Aug. 29, 10/03/2018 He allegedly punched an employee in the shoulder and chest after they tried to stop him from leaving the store.

Mississippi kid arrested after brandishing fake weapon in WalMart 10/03/2018

CLINTON, Ms. (WJTV) - (10/3/18) Clinton Police say a gun that was brandished in front of a customer in WalMart is fake. And the 12 year old who tried to evade a security officer is well known for 'mischevious misbehavior' to both the store and local police.

In a press release, police say WalMart has installed Lot Cop live view high def cameras throughout the building and the parking lot. They say the cameras can read 'a UPC code sitting on a shelf'.

While officers say the juvenile acted alone and was a never a true threat to anyone's safety, he has been charged with misdemeanor Simple Assault by Physical Menace and transported to the Hinds County Youth Detention Center. Walmart has banned the 12 year old child from their stores. Complete article


Police: Man used pellet gun to threaten Wash. Walmart employees during theft 10/03/2018

KENNEWICK, Wash. - Kennewick police are trying to identify a man they say pulled a pellet gun on Walmart employees when he was confronted about not paying for his items.

Police said the man pictured pulled what appeared to be a handgun from his waist Wednesday around 2:40 p.m. while leaving the store with unpaid merchandise as Walmart Loss Prevention tried to stop him.

The employees backed off and called 911. Authorities said the man ran across State Route 395 to the Circle K and hid in a Circle K employee's car. Complete article


Tallahassee woman charged in Fla. Walmart carjacking accused in burglary at same store 10/03/2018

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A woman accused of hitting a victim in the head with a bag of rocks during a carjacking at a local Walmart has now been charged for stealing a 50 inch TV from the same store just four days after the carjacking.

Courtney Knight, 30, has been charged with grand theft and burglary.

According to probable cause documents, officers were dispatched to the Walmart Supercenter at 4400 West Tennessee Street about a delayed theft on Sept. 26.

A loss prevention officer told the officer the he was reviewing surveillance videos from Sept. 21 and noticed that around 5:10 p.m., he saw a woman going into Walmart with an empty shopping cart.

However, the woman soon got a 50 inch flat screen TV valued at $398 loaded into her cart and immediately walked to the grocery side of the store. Documents say the woman then approached the back storage room, which is for employees only. Complete article


Chopped from the Shelves: Walmart Recalls 246,000 Axes for Injury Hazard 10/03/2018

Walmart is recalling 246,000 Ozark Trail camp axes.

The retail giant says the axe head can detach from the handle, posing an injury hazard.

The axes were sold in stores and online from January 2017 through July 2018 for about $8.

The axes have a black, non-slip rubber grip and claw feature. “Ozark Trail” and model number 60111140 are printed on the product packaging. They measure about 14 inches long and weigh about 1.25 pounds.

Walmart has received two reports of axe heads detaching from the handle, resulting in minor cuts and abrasions. Complete article


Walmart is changing how we pay for healthcare: 5 things to know 10/03/2018

With nearly 1.5 million employees across 4,700 stores, Bentonville, Ark.-based Walmart is the nation's largest private employer. And with nearly 1 million of those employees self-insured, it's also a heavy influencer on the U.S. healthcare market, according to a MarketWatch analysis.

Here are five things to know about Walmart's influence on healthcare payment:

1. Direct contracting between large employers and health systems is changing how healthcare is priced and paid for in the U.S. Employers are increasingly holding providers responsible for delivering better outcomes to their workers at lower prices. Complete article


Walmart Muscles Into the $12 Billion Collectibles Business 10/03/2018

It’s possible that some investors will skim past Wednesday morning’s news that Walmart (WMT) plans to get into pop-culture collectibles in a big way.

But the announcement—not coincidentally timed, it might be noted, just before the Thursday opening of the New York Comic Con—might be worth a closer look.

The announcement includes a new collectibles section in 3,500 stores starting later this month; a deal to be the exclusive in-store seller of boxes from subscription “stuff” company Loot Crate; and some available-nowhere-but-Walmart products. (Example: six colored variants of a Funko [FNKO] Thanos doll.) Complete article


Walmart to acquire plus-size online retailer Eloquii 10/02/2018

Walmart is adding to its online coterie of brands with its acquisition of plus-sized online retailer, Eloquii.

The big box retailer, which announced the acquisition on Tuesday, has been building up an online collection of labels since its roughly $3 billion acquisition of Jet.com in 2016. Those brands now include ModCloth, Bonobos and Allswell.

Walmart did not disclose the deal's value, but a person familiar with the terms told CNBC it valued Eloquii at roughly $100 million. It had interest from other retailers in the sale process, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the information is confidential. Recode first reported the deal price. Complete article


Downers Grove Man Sentenced To 12 Years In Dec. 3 2015 Ill. Walmart Shooting 10/04/2018

Cass County man accused of exposing himself in front of teen girl at mISSOURI Walmart 10/04/2018

Police: Man swiped wallet at RI Walmart 10/04/2018

Troy Mich. Walmart armed robbery suspects arraigned 10/04/2018

Troy — A man and woman were arraigned Wednesday on charges of robbing a Walmart and leading officers on a chase, police said.

Chay Ryan Beckett was arraigned on charges of armed robbery, fleeing and eluding, home invasion and two counts of malicious destruction of police property. Beckett was denied bond.

His counterpart, Christina Maria Vlaz, was arraigned on a charge of armed robbery. Her bond was set at $250,000.

Troy Police said the incident occurred at 4:30 p.m. Monday at the Troy Walmart on 2001 West Maple. Beckett and Vlaz were trying to steal several televisions and when store employees approached the pair to stop them, Beckett pointed a gun at them, police said. Complete article


Woman intervenes in Walmart fracas after white woman yells at 2 Hispanic women for speaking Spanish 10/04/2018

A video featuring a female good Samaritan intervening in a Walmart altercation has gone viral.

What’s the video all about?

Facebook user Faby Velsa shared the video on Monday. At the time of this writing, Velsa’s video has received more than 11,000 reactions and has been viewed more than 670,000 times.

Velsa captioned the video in Spanish. Facebook translated the caption to the following:

"I never thought this would happen to me. We were a friend and I talking in the shop in Spanish and suddenly comes a lady to insult us that if we lived in this country we didn’t have to speak Spanish that we would have to speak. Thanks to the other girl (we don’t know) she defended us and called the police, and I think they took arrested the lady who was assaulting us. I always saw the videos on the networks and gave me courage and today, which was my case I can say I felt a great impotence."

In the video, an unidentified white woman can be seen shouting at an older white woman.

The younger woman can be heard saying, “You don’t harass people! … Get out of here! Now!” and later threatens to call the police. Complete article


Too Sick, Too Pregnant, Too Well Paid: Walmart Workers on Why the Company Fires Them by Michael Sainato 10/04/2018

Sixty-one-year-old Jose Ramos says he often experienced racism and discrimination from his department manager toward the end of his 17 years working as a forklift operator at a Grand Prairie, TX, Walmart.

“It was an ugly experience. Nearly every day I was told by my manager I shouldn’t be there because I don’t speak English. I was regularly told to go back to Mexico, and the manager knew I’m not from Mexico, I’m from El Salvador,” Ramos told Splinter in Spanish.

But the manager seemed to have an even bigger problem with Ramos’ salary.

“I was constantly told I was making too much at $18.86 an hour and would be fired soon. I was being told that with my salary, Walmart could hire two new employees,” he said.

Ramos is one of several former Walmart employees who alleged to Splinter that they were wrongfully fired because they were making too much. Several other current and former employees alleged wrongful termination for becoming pregnant or getting sick. There is a pervasive fear among employees, they said, of any combination of these conditions leading to reprisal from management, including job loss. Complete article


USDA: Recalled beef sold at Walmart, other stores 10/04/2018 (A separate news item on morning of 10/05/2018 also referred to one death as a result of this recall.)

TOLLESON, Ariz. (AP/WOOD) — An Arizona company voluntarily recalled more than 6.5 million pounds of beef that could be contaminated with salmonella, federal officials announced Thursday.

An investigation traced products, including ground beef and beef patties to JBS Tolleson, Inc., a meat packing plant west of Phoenix. The raw beef was packed between July 26 and Sept. 7 and shipped to retailers nationwide, including Walmart, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Some of the products have a sell or use by date in late September.

An epidemiological investigation found 57 people in 16 states have become ill so far. That includes 15 cases in Arizona, the state's health officials said. None of those cases were in Michigan. Complete article (A separate news item on morning of 10/05/2018 also referred to one death as a result of this recall.)


Archdale PD looking for suspects who left hazmat liquid at NC Walmart 10/04/2018

ARCHDALE — The Archdale Police Department is asking for assistance from the public in identifying suspects who left hazmet liquid behind an Archdale Walmart in September.

According to a post on the Archdale Police Department’s Facebook page, two individuals in a grey Ford F-250 pulling a larger trailer were seen placing a large container behind the Walmart Neighborhood Marketplace in Archdale, located at 10250 S. Main St., on Sept. 12.

The container was found to contain hazmat liquid.

A male suspect seen in the surveillance photos assisted the driver of the truck in removing the container off of the trailer prior to them leaving the area. Complete article


Walmart To Phase Out Paint Strippers Linked To Dozens Of Deaths 10/04/2018

In the absence of government action on deadly paint strippers, retailers are stepping up to protect consumers.

On August 20, Walmart announced it would phase out paint removers containing methylene chloride and N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP) from its stores and website. Methylene chloride is responsible for more than 50 deaths over the last 35 years, and NMP is linked to fetal development problems, including low birth weight and birth defects.

“It’s great to see Walmart join Lowe’s, Home Depot and others to stop selling these unsafe products,” said Kara Cook-Schultz, director of our national network's Toxics Program. “We now need strong EPA action that will ensure no more families are affected by these deadly paint strippers.” Complete article


NCLAT adjourns hearing over CCI's Walmart-Flipkart deal approval to November 12 10/05/2018

The NCLAT Friday adjourned its hearing over the petition filed by traders' body CAIT against fair trade regulator CCI's approval of Walmart's USD 16 billion acquisition of Flipkart. Now the matter has been listed for the next hearing on November 12 before a two-member bench of the the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT).

Earlier on September 6, the NCLAT which is also an appellate authority over the Competition Commission of India (CCI), had asked Wal-Mart International Holdings Inc to file a reply before it explaining way of doing business in India.

The CAIT, which has filed an appeal before the NCLAT challenging the go-ahead by the CCI on Walmart's acquisition of home-grown Flipkart, was also asked to file its understanding over the Walmart's business model in India. Complete article

Walmart may repeat predatory behavior, adversely affect competition: CAIT to NCLAT 10/05/2018


Tower power: Walmart aims to increase convenience with self-serve pick-up 10/04/2018 Attention, Walmart shoppers: The retail giant is aiming to save you time and money with an imposing innovation. (And mass media is providing propaganda to promote this disguised as news stories.)

Two men shoplift Ill. Walmart with 3 children, baby carrier in tow 10/05/2018

Woman, 88, 'always afraid' after violent carjacking at Livonia Mich. Walmart after Sept. incident 10/04/2018

Bangor Me. Police continue to search for man who fled incident near Walmart 10/05/2018

Plea hearing set for Scott Ostrem in Thornton Colorado Walmart triple-killing case 10/05/2018 According to police, Ostrem casually entered the Walmart at 9901 Grant St. at 6:10 p.m. Nov. 1, pulled out a handgun and began shooting.

Woman carjacked after gun pointed at her head outside Lakeshore Alabama Walmart; 2 in custody 10/05/2018

HOMEWOOD, Ala. (WIAT) -- Homewood Police have arrested two suspects after a woman had a gun pointed at her head and her vehicle stolen early Friday morning outside the Walmart on Lakeshore Parkway.

According to police, officers responded to the Walmart around 1:06 a.m. Friday morning. The female victim said she approached her car and two black males pointed a gun at her head and demanded her vehicle.

The two took her car and drove towards Lakeshore Parkway.

Homewood PD located her 2005 silver Buick Lesabre on I-65 and attempted to stop it. The suspects refused to pull over, and a chase ensued. The pursuit ended at Oporto Madrid Blvd and First Ave S when the stolen vehicle hit a HPD vehicle and became disabled. Complete article


Shooting investigation underway after incident near Richmond Va. Walmart 10/05/2018

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) - Three people are recovering after a shooting near the Richmond Walmart Friday night.

Police were called to Drumheller Drive and Sheila Lane about 10pm Friday for reports of random gunfire. The two locations are separated by a small wooded area.

Two victims were found in the Walmart parking lot on Sheila Lane and another was found at the apartment complex on Drumheller drive.

Police believe the shootings happened at the apartment complex and two of the victims ran to the nearby Walmart for help. Complete article


Man with knife steals from NC Walmart 10/06/2018

A man threatened a clerk with a knife when she tried to stop him from leaving a Walmart with a cart containing a television and garden hose on Wednesday, according to a report to the Greenville Police Department.

The incident occurred about 10:20 p.m. at 210 S.W. Greenville Blvd., the report said. A man was pushing a shopping cart out of the store without paying for a Flexon brand garden hose valued at $11.88 and an Element 39-inch television valued at $198.

When a clerk at the store approached him, the man pulled a pocket knife and continued to exit the store, police department spokeswoman Kristen Hunter said. Complete article


Ithaca NY police investigate stabbing near Walmart 10/05/2018

ITHACA, N.Y. — Ithaca police are investigating a stabbing believed to have taken place in the Jungle area behind Walmart.

At around 6 a.m. Saturday, police responded to a report of a stabbing victim who had fled into Walmart. Police found the person and rendered medical aid. The person was transported to a regional trauma center for treatment.

Police said they believe the incident took place in the Jungle, the homeless encampment south of Walmart. Police are investigating the incident but said they do not believe it was a random act of violence. Complete article


Police: Wallingford woman charged with DUI struck pole in Conn. Walmart parking lot 10/05/2018

WALLINGFORD — A local woman faces a charge after police said she was driving under the influence when she struck a pole in the Walmart parking lot.

Nancy Smith, 62, of 31 Pine Glenn Terrace, was charged Tuesday with driving under the influence.

On Tuesday around 9 p.m. police responded to Walmart, 844 N. Colony Road., for a report of a car that struck a light pole, according to a police report. Officers arrived and found the car with yellow paint transfer and front end damage. Complete article


WalMart removes third-party ad that described plus-sized women as 'fat' 10/06/2018

Amanda Hanson said she was outraged when she discovered an advertisement on Walmart Canada's website that described plus-sized women as "fat."

The third-party ad, which has since been taken down, was titled "elegant floral print fat women swimsuit bellyband style beach wear." It went on to describe the item as the "best choice for fat girls to spend hot summer." Complete article

Walmart says third-party bathing suit ad ‘for fat girls’ was a translation error 10/06/2018


Raw: Surveillance footage at Tumwater Wash. Walmart during June shooting 10/05/2018

Distraction techniques used to steal merchandise at Murdock Walmart 10/05/2018

Attempted abduction at Anderson SC Walmart a misunderstanding, police say 10/05/2018

Walmart arrest: Brick NJ cops say they catch burglar in the act 10/05/2018

Detective needs help finding suspect who made fraudulent return at Buffalo Ridge Fla. Wal-Mart 10/06/2018

Pana Ill. Walmart closure worries residents 10/07/2018

3 stole purse from elderly woman in wheelchair at Walmart, Hillsborough NC police say 10/07/2018

Hudson Wisc. Police: Walmart incident leads to arrests 10/07/2018

Two in custody after handguns come out during Minn. Walmart parking lot dispute 10/07/2018

Two people were arrested and may face charges after a dispute Sunday night in the parking lot of a St. Cloud Walmart store.

According to St. Cloud police, officers were called to the southside Walmart, 3601 Second St. S, just before 7 p.m. for two males who confronted each other in the parking lot.

Both men displayed a handgun toward the other during the argument, according to police, but no shots were fired and both men were detained by police. Complete article

Video Captures Man Pulling Out Gun During St. Cloud Walmart Altercation 10/10/2018


Killer on the loose was found sitting outside Alaska Walmart 10/07/2018

On Saturday, Anchorage police received a number of calls from shoppers at Walmart, saying killer Scott Brodine was sitting outside the store. Officers arrived and took him into custody without incident.

Brodine, 50, had walked away from his halfway house, the Clitheroe Center, early Wednesday morning. He was finishing a 90-day drug treatment program, and police said he was not a danger to the community, even on the loose.

But the public might have felt differently, knowing that Brodine had brutally beat to death his roommate in 1993 and was supposed to be serving a 50-year sentence behind bars, not in a halfway house. Complete article


East Falmouth man arrested for shoplifting at Mass. Walmart, assaulting police officer 10/08/2018

An East Falmouth man was arrested and charged with a slew of offenses Sunday after he allegedly shoplifted from Walmart in Wareham, assaulted a police officer, and fled from the scene in an incident that left an officer with minor injuries.

Samuel Mills, 35, also allegedly lied about his identity at Wareham police's headquarters.
The scene unfolded at around noon on Sunday when Walmart officials reported a shoplifter in the store, Wareham police said in a statement.

Responding Wareham police Officer Nate Aronson confronted Mills, who was initially cooperative, and told him he was being placed under arrest. That’s when Mills allegedly assaulted Aronson, and ran toward the front of the store. Complete article


Pro-life supporters rally in front of Walmart 10/07/2018

PANAMA CITY —Waving signs and praying, about 40 pro-life supporters lined 23rd Street by Walmart on Sunday as part of international demonstrations.

“The Life Chain is a peaceful and prayerful public gather of Pro-Life people coming together for one hour to witness our community and each other,” organizers said in a press release. “We pray for all those affected by this tragedy.”

Between 800,000 and 1 million people participate in the event across the United States and Canada every year. There were 200 registered events in Florida this year. Complete article


Man accused of exposing himself in a Harvey La. Walmart 10/08/2018

Waterford police seek man who allegedly stole 2 televisions from Conn. Walmart 10/08/2018

Arrest made after woman spots her stolen vehicle in Walmart parking lot, Madison Wisc. police say 10/08/2018

Shooting that wounded teen at D’Iberville La. Walmart was over school rivalry, police say 10/08/2018

D'IBERVILLE A shooting reported from a Walmart parking lot led police to a 17-year-old who suffered a gunshot wound to his buttocks.

The shooting, reported Sunday about 11:40 p.m., began inside Walmart between school rivals from D’Iberville, St. Martin and Biloxi, D’Iberville Police Capt. Mary Griffin said.

The argument continued in the parking lot of the store on Sangani Boulevard, where things became dangerous as the parties began to leave, he said.

Occupants in one vehicle reportedly shot at another with a paintball gun, and Austin Phu-Quy Nguyen returned fire with a weapon, Griffin said in a news release. A bullet struck the vehicle near the driver’s-side back seat, where the juvenile was sitting. Complete article


Man with gun arrested at Burbank Ca. Walmart 10/08/2018

BURBANK, Calif. (KABC) -- Police arrested a man who had a handgun inside a Walmart in Burbank on Monday.

Officers were called to the store at 1301 N. Victory Place after employees reported there was a man with a gun inside the store.

Officers responded and detained one person inside the store after confirming he did have a handgun.

Police say there were no shots fired and no one was injured at the store. Complete article

Gun recovered during incident in Walmart this week may have been stolen, Burbank police say 10/10/2018


Why are people finding razor blades stuck to Walmart shopping carts? Trend surprising shoppers 10/08/2018

An Ohio couple is warning shoppers about a surprising danger. The shoppers claim they found a razor stuck on a Walmart shopping cart handle.

The incident happened in a Walmart located in Wadsworth, Ohio earlier this summer, according to local news organizations. Ohio residents Cheryl and Mel Johnson told Cleveland 19 News that they found a razor sticking out of the shopping cart’s handle. The couple reported the incident to Walmart management.

So, why are people finding razor blades stuck to carts? Walmart officials said it’s becoming an issue for many retailers. Shoplifters use the razors to cut off tags from merchandise. The average cost per shoplifting incident doubled in 2017 to $798.48, according to the National Retail Federation.

It’s not the first time shoppers have found razors stuck to shopping carts. It’s happened at Walmart stores before, including when a woman was nicked by a razor blade attached to a shopping cart handle at the Walmart in Catoosa, Oklahoma in 2016. Complete article


Why those camera towers are outside this Pa. Walmart Supercenter 10/08/2018

The Walmart Supercenter in Pohatcong Township is one of about 100 Walmart locations nationwide with a new approach to deterring crime, the company says.

As part of that, about a half-dozen Lot Cop towers are in place in the parking lot of the sprawling store off Route 22.

"As a company we're shifting our focus from detection to deterrence," Walmart spokeswoman Tara Aston said Monday.

Made by Live View Technologies, the mobile, solar-powered Lot Cops sport lights and cameras in hopes of stemming any illegal action. Complete article


Is Walmart Blacklisting Doctors? 10/08/2018

Carolyn Eastin has been a nurse practitioner in Arizona for nearly a decade. She is the only licensed prescriber at a busy pain clinic in Scottsdale, where many patients are on high doses of opioid medication.

Eastin says she was “mortified” by a letter last month from Walmart’s corporate headquarters that said the retail giant’s Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies would no longer fill her prescriptions for opioids.

“In reviewing your controlled substance prescribing patterns and other factors, we have determined that we will no longer be able to continue filling your controlled substance prescriptions,” the letter states. “We regret any inconvenience this may cause you or your patients.”

“It was very humiliating. I was upset about it,” says Eastin. “We’ve already had patients who can’t get prescriptions there.”

The Walmart letter has all the appearances of a form letter. It makes no mention of any complaints against Eastin, whether any of her patients have overdosed, or if her prescribing is medically inappropriate.

Eastin writes prescriptions for nearly 500 chronic pain patients at the Absolute Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine clinic. Most are on high doses of opioids, at levels well above those recommended by the CDC in its 2016 opioid guideline. Eastin believes she was red flagged by Walmart after a prescription database search and is now on a “blacklist” of prescribers.

“I’m the only one who writes prescriptions here. So I would have higher numbers than the average nurse practitioner,” she told PNN. “I’m not doing anything wrong. I’m tapering my patients. I’m trying to do my part to bring people into compliance.”

Does Walmart blacklist doctors who prescribe high doses of opioids? Is Walmart practicing medicine without a license? We posed those questions to Walmart and received a one sentence reply.

“Walmart does not comment on our patients or their prescribers,” wrote Erin Hulliberger, Walmart Corporate Communications. Complete article


Lafayette La. Walmart evacuated after bomb threat 10/08/2018

Mama Biscuit's Goes National After Walmart Picks Up Frederick-Based Brand 10/08/2018

Evansville man arrested for using stolen credit card at Wisc. Walmart, police say 10/10/2018

Sahuarita Ariz. police looking for Walmart shoplifting suspect 10/09/2018

Man arrested after charges in Sept. 30 gang-related shooting at Hobart Ind. Walmart 10/09/2018

Suspect sought for stealing iPhones from Tenn. Walmart 10/09/2018

Help Butler Twp. Ohio police identify Walmart theft suspect 10/09/2018

Man who forced I-15 shutdown robbed a Utah Walmart last month, police say 10/09/2018

CLEARFIELD — A Grantsville man who police say walked onto I-15 holding a gun, forcing officials to shut down the freeway for hours on Monday, had been out of jail for about a week after being charged with robbing a Walmart store.

Christopher Scott Lewis, 35, was arrested and booked into the Davis County Jail early Tuesday for investigation of possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, failing to stop for law enforcement, drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.

On Tuesday, Clearfield police officer Travis Collings was attending to a traffic accident when he was notified of a man slumped over the steering wheel of a car at 650 North under the I-15 overpass, according to a jail report.

.....

As a backup officer arrived at the scene, "Christopher walked to the back of my car, pulled a gun out and said he was going to kill himself. Christopher was told to drop the gun. Christopher then fled on foot ignoring commands to drop the gun and stop. He was stopped on the I-15 650 North overpass," the report states.

After a nearly four-hour standoff on I-15, primarily during the afternoon commute, law enforcement deployed pepper-spray projectiles and took him into custody. During the standoff, Lewis pointed his gun at this head but not at other officers, according to the Utah Highway Patrol.

......

Lewis is accused of robbing a Walmart in Tooele on Sept. 21. Officers arriving at the scene spotted Lewis wearing a Halloween mask and carrying a television, a drone and a machete," according to a police affidavit.

Just prior to the robbery, police received a call of a bomb threat at the Walmart. Lewis told police that he stole the TV and drone to pay off a drug debt, the affidavit states. The person whom he allegedly owed the debt to was apparently waiting for Lewis in the store parking lot and had threatened him the night before, police say.

"Mr. Lewis said he took the machete with him to make sure he had protection," according to the report. "Mr. Lewis also admitted to calling dispatch and making a false bomb threat. Mr. Lewis said he was trying to make a diversion from the drug dealer that was waiting on him and he was planning on using the bomb threat to get away from the drug dealer." Complete article


Walmart planning 'net-connected trolley' 10/09/2018 (update on patent reported last month)

US retail giant Walmart has applied for a patent for a smart shopping trolley that can track a shopper's heart rate, temperature, grip and walking speed.

Such a system would provide valuable information about how shoppers respond to different stores, it said.

The patent, submitted in February, would see trolleys fitted with sensors which in turn send data over the internet to Walmart's servers.

Walmart said it would not collect any personally identifiable data.

The patent, published in August, is titled "System and Method for a Biometric Feedback Cart Handle". Complete article


Walmart Canada exploring possible sale of cannabis-based products 10/09/2018

Walmart Inc.'s Canadian unit said on Tuesday it is exploring the possibility of selling cannabis-based products, but has no immediate plans to get into the business.

Walmart is the first major retailer to show an interest in being a part of Canada's burgeoning marijuana industry, as other big U.S. companies, mainly in the alcohol and beverage industries, begin to consider entering the market for cannabis-infused products.

Last month Coca-Cola Co. said it was closely watching the marijuana drinks market for a possible entry, while Corona beer maker Constellation Brands has invested more than $4 billion in cannabis producer Canopy Growth. Complete article


Body found in 18-wheeler at Walmart in Greer SC 10/09/2018

SPARTANBURG COUNTY, SC (WSPA) - Authorities are investigating the death of a man whose body was found in an 18-wheeler outside a Greer business.

Spartanburg County Coroner Rusty Clevenger confirmed his agency was dispatched Tuesday afternoon to the Walmart store at 14055 E. Wade Hampton Blvd.

Greer police officials said they were conducting a death investigation there. Complete article


Body Of Woman Found In Walmart Parking Lot In Ill. Lockport 10/10/2018

The body of woman was found in a car in the parking lot of the Walmart in Lockport. Lockport City Manager Ben Benson telling WJOL that the body may have been there for a day or two. No foul play suspected. Autopsy and toxicology tests will be done as the investigation progresses. Complete article

Young woman found dead inside car at Lockport Walmart 10/10/2018

The body of a 24-year-old woman was found inside a 2005 Lexus SUV in the employee parking lot of a Walmart in Lockport, police said.

At 4:28 p.m. Tuesday, Lockport police were called out to the store, located at 16241 Farrell Road, after receiving a report of an unresponsive woman found in the back seat of a car, Lockport Deputy Police Chief Ron Huff said.

When the officers arrived, they found the woman was dead with "no obvious signs of life," Huff said. She appeared to have been in the car for awhile, but police are uncertain as to exactly how long she was there before being found, he said.


Alleged murderer arrested by FBI at Me. Walmart 10/09/2018

ELLSWORTH — Ellsworth police assisted the FBI on Oct. 2 in arresting a man wanted for murder in Florida.

Michael Dolias, 45, was arrested by bureau agents at Walmart in Ellsworth, Police Chief Glenn Moshier said.

Police had been “contacted by agents two weeks prior notifying us that Dolias might be in the area,” Moshier said.

But the call that the Florida resident was at Walmart came “out of the blue,” Moshier said.

“The FBI had him in custody when we got there.” Complete article


NY Walmart, police struggle with shoplifters 10/10/2018

GLENMONT — Bethlehem police have arrested and charged at least eight people in the past three weeks alone for attempting to not pay for merchandise at the Walmart located on Route 9W. They typically did not scan them all at the self-checkout counter, tried to hide such merchandise,and passed all final points of sale.

Bethlehem Police Department Cmdr. Adam Hornick said that while those incidents are not connected, it is part of a dangerous pattern where many locals keep on trying to steal mostly because they’re either desperate or planning to resell items on the black market.

When asked whether stealing is common at that Walmart, Hornick deadpanned, “Yes.”

“Often times, when we encounter the shoplifters, a lot of times we hear a variety of explanations for why they were stealing,” he said. “Some steal food for survival, and Walmart sometimes understands that and won’t press charges. But we also encounter a lot who steal items that can be easily resold on the black market.” Complete article


You buy a purse at Walmart. There’s a note inside from a “Chinese prisoner.” Now what? 10/10/2018

Tracing a mysterious message across the world to understand how what we buy is made.

When Christel Wallace found a piece of paper folded up at the bottom of her purse in March 2017, she threw it in the trash. She hadn’t yet used the maroon bag, made by Walmart and purchased from one of its Arizona stores months ago.

But after a few minutes, she got curious. She took the paper out of the wastebasket, unfolding the sheet to reveal a message scrawled in Mandarin Chinese.

Translated, it read: Inmates in China’s Yingshan Prison work 14 hours a day and are not allowed to rest at noon. We have to work overtime until midnight. People are beaten for not finishing their work. There’s no salt and oil in our meals. The boss pays 2,000 yuan every month for the prison to offer better food, but the food is all consumed by the prison guards. Sick inmates have to pay for their own pills. Prisons in China cannot be compared to prisons in the United States. Horse, cow, goat, pig, dog.

Christel’s daughter-in-law Laura Wallace posted a photo of the note to Facebook on April 23. The post first went viral locally, getting shared and liked several hundred times, mostly by fellow Arizonans. After a few days, local media outlets picked up the story; a week or so after that, dozens of mainstream publications like USA Today and HuffPost followed suit. One video report on the incident accumulated 2.9 million views.

.....

You may remember this story or one like it. It follows a long line of SOS-style notes found by shoppers. They crop up a few times a year, and each story follows the same beats. Complete article


Walmart, GM should be 'wake-up call' for private insurers 10/09/2018

Four of the nation's largest managed care organizations may lose dominance in the employer health insurance market if they don't innovate ways to compete with employers, according to an Oct. 5. Leerink brief.

Leerink analysts said managed care companies like UnitedHealth Group, Anthem, Aetna and Cigna "have their work cut out for them." Analysts added that "meaningful action would likely involve less cross-subsidization of the more lucrative and growing Medicare Advantage product through self-insured network contracting, and more innovative approaches and investments on both provider contracts and technology-enabled member engagement and analytics."

Employer-sponsored health plans cover 155 million Americans, or nearly half of the U.S. population, while private spending reflects more than a third of total healthcare spend. As healthcare spending is anticipated to grow 5.5 percent each year on average from 2017-26, Leerink analysts said employers are increasingly driving change in the market to reduce their own costs. Complete article


Goldsboro NC police trying to ID suspect who stole TV set at Walmart 10/10/2018

Confirmed: No shooting Friday at NC Walmart 10/09/2018 The Raleigh County Sheriff's Department confirmed that no shooting occurred at either Walmart in Raleigh County on Friday. Despite rumors that spread rampantly throughout Facebook on Friday night, officers found no evidence of said event.

Neighbors charged with separate Ind. Walmart thefts 10/10/2018

Former employee arrested at Norwalk Conn. Walmart 10/09/2018 NORWALK — A former Walmart employee who had been fired was arrested on larceny charges after returning to the store Monday, eating food not paid for and stealing clothing items, police said. ..... valued at $37,

2 Women Charged In Ellicott City Md. Walmart Assault, Theft: Police 10/09/2018

Woman, 24, charged after child found in vehicle left running at Ga. Walmart 10/10/2018

Scott Ostrem pleads guilty to murder in Thornton Colorado Walmart shooting that killed 3 10/10/2018

Broken Arrow Okla. Police Investigating Bomb Threat At Walmart 10/10/2018

2 men wanted for stealing electronics from Danville Ind. Walmart 10/11/2018

'This is not good:' Walmart to close Murchison Va. store 10/11/2018

Man accused of making a bomb scare at Franklin Wisc. Walmart pleads not guilty 10/10/2018 The charge against Ziehr was filed after a September incident in which Ziehr indicated he had a bomb strapped to his chest at the Walmart in Franklin.

Ga. Walmart shopper calls cops on black man babysitting white children 10/10/2018

A woman sounded a false alarm when she alerted police after being suspicious of a black Marietta man with two white children at a local Walmart.

Corey Lewis, who runs a youth mentorship program, had to explain to Cobb police officers that the children, a brother and sister, were clients of his, and that he had taken them on an afternoon outing to grab sandwiches at the Subway inside the Chastain Meadows Walmart — with their parents’ permission.

The incident began about 5 p.m. Sunday after Lewis and the children, ages 6 and 10, exited the store. ......

He recorded the interaction and streamed it to his Facebook page.

“This lady followed me all the way home because I got two kids with me that don’t look like me,” he says in the video. “2018, you see what I’ve got to deal with.” Complete article


Former Walmart Employee Sentenced For Stealing Company Secrets 10/10/2018

FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) — A former Walmart employee was given two-years probation and fined $4,900 for stealing data from Walmart and supplying it to his next employer.

John Stan Harmon was sentenced Wednesday (Oct. 10) in U.S. District Court on one count of theft of trade secrets.

Harmon worked as a buyer in the furniture department for the Bentonville-based retailer, which gave him access to “highly sensitive” information on profit margins, production, and pricing for items bought and sold by Walmart and its subsidiaries, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. .....

Walmart said it didn’t suffer “any identifiable financial loss” through the theft, but said the information Harmon stole is “highly valuable to both vendors and competitors,” according to court documents. Complete article


Walmart will now allow shoppers to access PayPal cash in stores 10/11/2018

Walmart and PayPal this morning announced a partnership that will see the two collaborating on financial services and products, including new PayPal cash in and cash out services at Walmart stores, as well as the ability for PayPal Cash MasterCard customers to access their cash balance in-store at service desks, ATMs and cash registers.

The PayPal cash in and cash out money services will cost customers a $3 service fee, the companies say, as will the ability to pull cash out from MasterCard while in store. The companies declined to say how that fee is being shared.

Customers are also able to load cash into their PayPal balance while at Walmart, but this is not a new service as of today, we’re told.

The deal marks the first time that PayPal mobile app users will be able to take cash out from their PayPal balance while in a brick-and-mortar environment, though PayPal several years ago had partnered with retailers like Home Depot for integrations at the register. Complete article


Walmart Cuts Online Video Deals in Bid to Become Entertainment Hub 10/11/2018

Walmart Inc. has struck deals with an old-school Hollywood studio and a next-generation interactive-video startup as part of the drive by the world’s largest retailer to become an entertainment hub.

Earlier this week, Walmart reached an agreement with MGM Holdings Inc. for the studio to create original content exclusive to Vudu, the on-demand streaming service Walmart bought in 2010. Separately, Walmart is also creating a joint venture for content with Eko, a video platform that specializes in entertainment and commerce... Complete article


Athens Ga. Walmart workers intercept man trying to steal beer 10/10/2018

Harvey man accused of recording man in Tchoupitoulas La. Walmart bathroom 10/11/2018

Police: Ohio Walmart employee steals $9,000 worth of cellphones 10/11/2018

VIDEO: Police Trying to Identify Suspect in Pa. Walmart Retail Theft 10/11/2018

Stolen car found in Pa. leads back to Salem Ohio Walmart 10/12/2018

Man found dead outside Walmart in Coconut Creek Fla. 10/11/2018 Update, death was a result of a shooting in a carjacking gone wrong.

Victim found in parking lot next to car

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. - Police are investigating after a man was found dead in a Walmart parking lot in Coconut Creek.

According to Coconut Creek police, the man was found dead at about 3 a.m. in the parking lot of the Walmart at Hillsboro Boulevard and U.S. Highway 441.

Police said the man was due at a friend's house and the worried friend called police, saying the victim might be at the Walmart.

Officers followed up on the call and found the victim's body in the Walmart parking lot outside his car.

Coconut Creek police said they have no doubt this was a murder -- the first murder in Coconut Creek this year. Complete article

Man found murdered in Walmart parking lot is identified, police say 10/13/2018

Three Teens Face Murder Charges After Carjacking Gone Wrong In Coconut Creek Fla. Walmart Parking Lot 11/30/2018


Stafford Sheriffs apprehend juvenile who held up Va. Walmart at knife point 10/11/2018

STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. — A juvenile is in custody after robbing a local Walmart at knifepoint and making away with money from the cash register.

On October 10 around 5:00 p.m., a deputy responded to the Walmart at 217 Garrisonville Road and was told that a suspect had fled on foot towards the west side of the store.

The suspect was located near a neighboring Chick-fil-a and apprehended. A large sum of money was located on his person and he admitted to taking a knife off the Walmart shelf and using it to commit robbery. Complete article


St. Tammany School Board member accused of shoplifting at La. Wal-Mart 10/11/2018

A St. Tammany Parish School Board member has been accused of shoplifting at a Wal-Mart store in the Covington area.

Sharon Lo Drucker, 53, of Madisonville, was issued a summons to appear in court on a misdemeanor charge of theft under $1,000, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office spokesman Capt. Scott Lee said Thursday (Oct. 11).

Drucker pleaded not guilty at an arraignment on Wednesday (Oct. 10) at the St. Tammany Parish Courthouse in Covington. A trial date was set for Nov. 5.

Deputy Walter Eason was working a July 6 paid detail at the store at 880 N. U.S. 190 south of Covington when was notified by a store employee that workers had a shoplifter detained in the loss prevention office, Lee said. Eason issued Drucker a summons in lieu of arrest, he said. Complete article


Walmart to pay $65 million to settle lawsuit over seating for cashiers 10/11/2018

(Reuters) - Walmart Inc has agreed to pay $65 million to nearly 100,000 current and former cashiers in California who accused the retailer of violating state law by refusing to provide them with seating while they worked.

Walmart denied any wrongdoing in the nine-year-old case, which was scheduled to go to trial later this year, in a filing in federal court in San Francisco on Wednesday. The settlement must be approved by a federal judge. Complete article


Suspected Utah Walmart thief nabbed by police 10/11/2018

Man Arrested for Allegedly Grabbing Woman Inappropriately Inside Chehalis Wash. Walmart 10/11/2018

Man accused of stealing employee's bike from Chicopee Mass. Walmart identified 10/12/2018

Woodburn Oregon police search for man accused of stealing equipment from Walmart parking lot 10/12/2018

Michigan man tries to leave Naperville Ill. Walmart with shopping cart of merchandise 10/12/2018

Man charged with abandoning dog at Walmart 10/12/2018

Man found dead on roof of Super Walmart in Albion New York 10/12/2018

ALBION, New York (WHAM) - Sheriff's deputies said a 50-year-old man from Irondequoit, New York was found dead on the roof of the Walmart in Albion Friday afternoon.

Deputies said Irondequoit Police asked for their assistance after the man never returned home after work Thursday.

911 public safety dispatchers found him by using technology to trace his cell phone.

Deputies said the victim, whose name has not been released, was a contractor and had climbed onto the Walmart roof Thursday to check for leaks. Complete article


Gun-Toting Suspect Robs Murphy Canyon Ca. Walmart 10/12/2018

A gun-toting man robbed a Walmart on Friday afternoon in Murphy Canyon, police said.

The man walked into the store on 3382 Murphy Canyon Road around 3:45 p.m., approached a cashier, lifted up his shirt to reveal a gun and demanded money, San Diego police Officer Rober Heims said.

"The suspect took an unknown amount of money and fled out the front door into the parking," he said. "It is unknown where the suspect went from there." Complete article


Henderson charged after Montana Walmart assault leaves man with broken face 10/12/2018

A beating at a local Walmart last week left one man with severe facial injuries and another facing assault charges in district court Friday.

Patrick Lawrence Henderson, 37, is charged with felony aggravated assault for an incident Oct. 1 at the westside Walmart store.

According to court documents, the Great Falls Police Department was called to the Benefis Health System emergency department Oct. 1 for an assault complaint.

The victim reported that he was working at the Walmart store when he went outside for a smoke. At that time, he made contact with his stepmother and a man he’d never seen before who police later identified as Henderson. Complete article


Walmart buys online lingerie retailer Bare Necessities 10/12/2018

NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart says it's buying online lingerie retailer Bare Necessities, the latest acquisition in its niche-brand buying spree.

Walmart declined to disclose how much it's paying for Bare Necessities, but says the deal will help deepen its expertise in the world of bras, swimwear and shapewear. Complete article


Man arrested at Me. Walmart connected to drug-trafficking ring 10/13/2018

Water line break closes Vermont Walmart 10/13/2018

Vodka thieves foiled by police after leaving East side Wisc. Walmart 10/14/2018

Zebulon NC police looking for 2 suspects in Walmart fraud 10/14/2018

Walmart's produce tracking plan will affect Yuma Ariz. agriculture 10/14/2018 Walmart's recent announcement that it will require every producer in its supply chain for leafy green vegetables to join a blockchain traceability network a year from now will clearly affect Yuma County's $2 billion agriculture industry. Local growers and shippers are beginning to look at how the new requirement will affect their workload and bottom line, but Vic Smith, CEO of Yuma-based JV Smith Companies, said he doesn't think the answers will matter very much. "I have no idea what it's going to cost, I have no idea the depth and detail, I suspect it's going to be complicated. But if this helps us deliver consumers safe food, then let's do it," he said.

GPD: Woman steals from Fla. Walmart using her baby’s carrier 10/14/2018

Police: Utica woman switched price tags of items at NY Walmart to buy them cheaper at self-checkout 10/14/2018

Authorities: Woman Leads Police On Wild Chase After Robbing New Jersey Walmart, Injuring 1 Officer 10/14/2018

HAMILTON, N.J. (CBS) — After robbing a Walmart in Hamilton, New Jersey, a woman led police on a chase that left one officer seriously injured and a loss prevention officer reportedly run over, according to Hamilton police.

At approximately 1 p.m. on Saturday, police responded to a call at the Walmart Supercenter at 1750 Nottingham Way where 21-year-old Courtney Lynn Rumery had reportedly run over a loss prevention officer after robbing the store.

Hamilton Police caught up with the suspect in Trenton and pulled her over. During the stop, the suspect sped away with an officer holding onto the suspect’s vehicle in fear for his life, police say.

When Rumery failed to shake the officer from the vehicle, she crashed the vehicle and fled the scene on foot. She was quickly chased down by responding Trenton police officers and taken into custody. Complete article


Sears' slow death is a gift to Walmart and Home Depot 10/15/2018

New York (CNN Business)The battle for Sears customers is underway. Walmart, Target, Kohl's, Home Depot, and Best Buy are poised to capitalize from Sears' bankruptcy filing.

Sears and Kmart have a combined 700 stores. The company has brought in $8.7 billion in revenue over the past year, leaving market share opportunities and sales of home appliances, TVs, tools, and clothing up for grabs.

About 20% of Sears and Kmart stores will close by the end of the year, and rivals could face short-term pressure if the company heavily marks down merchandise. But big-box players, department chains, and discount stores are in strong positions to win former Sears' shoppers for years to come. Complete article


East Deer man accused of stealing items worth $1,500 from Pittsburgh Mills Pa. Walmart 10/15/2018

Nevada Walmart Pharmacist Saves Customer's Life Using CPR 10/15/2018

Central NY man so mad at NY Walmart service he threatens to shoot employees, deputies say 10/15/2018

CORTLANDVILLE, N.Y. -- A man didn't like the customer service at the Walmart in Cortland County, deputies said.

So the angry customer told employees he was going to shoot everyone inside the Cortlandville store, deputies said.

Veasna H. Pedersen, 32, was charged Monday by the Cortland County Sheriff's Office with making a terroristic threat. He was arrested after employees at the Walmart on Bennie Road reported they were threatened during a phone call at 1:48 a.m.

"The suspect was upset with the customer service he was receiving over the phone," said Sgt. Stacy Billings. Complete article


1-year-old baby abandoned at Ca. Walmart in Lakewood; sheriff’s detectives seeking person of interest 10/15/2018

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department detectives said Monday they want to question a man seen on security camera footage entering, then leaving a few minutes later, the bathroom of the Walmart in Lakewood where a 1-year-old boy was later found abandoned on the floor.

The boy was discovered at the store on Oct. 8 at around 11:45 a.m. A man shopping notified employees after finding the baby in a stall, said Lt. Todd Deeds.

Deeds said the baby was healthy.

“I’m happy to say the baby is doing OK,” Deeds said. “He’s being well taken care of, and he’s safe.”

However, detectives have so far been unable to identify the child or his family.

In the week since he was found, no one has stepped forward to claim the baby. And there have been no recent reports in L.A. County or other nearby counties of a missing baby in the region recently matching the boy’s description, Deeds said. Complete article


Cops: Gwinnett man stabs dad, hits ex for taking too long at Ga. Walmart 10/15/2018

A Gwinnett County man is in jail on assault and battery charges after he allegedly stabbed his father and punched his ex-girlfriend in the face, police said.

Jonathan Allen Fain, 25, has been charged with aggravated assault, aggravated battery, battery and possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of a felony.

Fain got his ex-girlfriend to give him a ride to the Walmart on Rockbridge Road the morning of Oct. 11, according to a police report. He began yelling at her that she was taking too long shopping while they were inside, and the yelling continued while she was driving him home, the report says. She told him to get out of the car, but he wouldn’t, so she threw his wallet out of the window, according to police. Fain punched the woman in the face and exited the car to get his wallet; the woman took that opportunity to drive away, the report says.

Soon after, Fain arrived at his father’s house in Lilburn. They got into an argument and at some point, Fain stabbed his father, according to the police report. When an officer arrived around 11 a.m., Fain had fled on foot into some nearby woods, the report said. Fain’s father was laying on the ground with a stab wound to his stomach. The officer found a kitchen knife with its blade missing; the blade had broken off and was still inside Fain’s father, the report says. Complete article


Fire at Anderson SC Walmart prompts police investigation, arson suspected 10/15/2018

A small fire that forced an evacuation of an Anderson Walmart on Monday afternoon is being investigated as a suspected arson, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

Kathryn Richardson, a spokeswoman for the state agency, confirmed state arson specialists are at the Walmart on State 28 Bypass and they are treating it as a criminal investigation

She declined to discuss additional details pending the investigation. Complete article

Stuffed animal set ablaze at SC Walmart as distraction from theft 10/18/2018


Man charged after knife incident in Sauk Centre Minn. Walmart parking lot 10/15/2018

SAUK CENTRE — A Browerville man is charged with one count of felony terroristic threats after he was accused of threatening people with a knife in a Sauk Centre Walmart parking lot on Friday.

According to a Stearns County criminal complaint, Sauk Centre law enforcement were sent about 5:10 p.m. Friday to the Walmart at 205-12th St. S in Sauk Centre.

Officers spoke to two people who said Christopher Wilson Dean Stone, 25, waved a large knife at them, according to the complaint. Complete article


Walmart’s looking to sell third-party streaming platform subscriptions, report suggests 10/15/2018

Walmart has big video streaming ambitions. Today, Bloomberg reports that the retailer is in talks with multiple media companies to sell its services through an online store. The publication says Walmart wants to give its Vudu customers the ability to add on premium services, like HBO Now, Showtime, or Starz. Bloomberg attributes the push to declining DVD sales.

Amazon offers a similar service through Channels, which allows customers to sign up for these third-party services. Meanwhile, Variety reported earlier this year that Walmart’s planning to launch a Netflix competitor under its Vudu brand. At the time, it was expected to launch later this year for around $8 a month.

Walmart already sells digital movies to rent or buy. It also offers a few for free through Movies on Us. Clearly, Walmart sees digital streaming as an area worth investing in, although right now, all we have to work with are leaked reports of business deals. Complete article


Walmart is aggressively shifting away from its most legendary shopping format 10/16/2018

Walmart (WMT) continues to kill off the American shopping creation it’s most known for, the massive supercenter that sells everything under one roof.

With the U.S. market already having more than 3,500 Walmart supercenters and a focus by CEO Doug McMillon to increase spending on eCommerce and India, Walmart said Tuesday it will open a mere 10 supercenters in 2019. Capital expenditures are seen at $11 billion next year, unchanged on a year over year basis.

The company has reduced emphasis on the store format pioneered by founder Sam Walton – which could average a gargantuan 178,000 square feet – in recent years. Walmart has opened a fewer number supercenters in the past three years. This year, it plans to open only 15 supercenters. Complete article

Walmart warns it will 'test a lot, fail a lot;' cuts profit forecast 10/16/2018


Deer Released Without Injury After Running Into Montgomery Ill. Walmart Sunday 10/15/2018

Montgomery Police say a deer was released back into the wild uninjured after it made it inside of the Montgomery Walmart in the 2000 block of Orchard Rd. on Sunday.

Police were called to the store around 12:22 p.m. for a report of a deer inside of the store.

According to officials, the deer entered the store and made it inside approximately 10 feet before losing its balance. Police say the deer did not break any glass while entering the store.

Employees of the Walmart were able to detain the deer until police arrived. They assisted the animal to exit back outside. Complete article


Walmart’s Largest Acquisition Ever Will Hit Profit 10/15/2018 Purchase of Indian ecommerce firm Flipkart earlier this year for $16 billion will weigh on profit this year and next. Walmart Inc. lowered its profit targets and said it would open just 10 new U.S. stores next fiscal year, as the world’s biggest retailer focuses its efforts on e-commerce shopping. The lowered profit goal for the current year reflects the acquisition of Indian e-commerce company Flipkart, which Walmart paid $16 billion to buy earlier this year. At the time, Walmart said the deal was a long-term bet on a fast-growing market that would depress earnings.

Massillon Ohio police seize meth from woman at Walmart 10/18/2018

Man Convicted In Deadly Stabbing Outside Temecula Ca. Walmart in Nov. 2017 10/15/2018 James Beckham Fortney, 41, "recorded the victim as he was dying and later joined in the life-saving efforts," the D.A.'s office said.

Handcuffed man flees police at Walmart in Cocoa Fla. — twice 10/16/2018 The homeless man pocketed about $65 worth of clothing at Walmart in the 2700 block of Clearlake Road about 4 p.m. .... Prebor was being held at the Brevard County Jail on Tuesday in lieu of $16,500 bail.

Police: Man stole from same Ill. Walmart four times 10/16/2018

Man free on bond in Best Buy theft arrested at Fla. Wal-Mart in The Villages 10/16/2018

Dalton Ga. Police searching for woman who tried to steal $700 in Walmart merchandise 10/16/2018

Man walks out of Mich. Walmart with 55-inch TV, speeds away, police say 10/16/2018 The vehicle, occupied by two women, "left the parking lot in a reckless manner almost striking multiple vehicles," police said.

Walmart cleared after bomb threat; Gaylord Mich. police determine store safe 10/16/2018

Man arrested for shoplifting $2,100 worth of items from Columbus Ind. Walmart 10/16/2018

Man wanted for stealing computers from Beloit Ill. Walmart 10/16/2018

Attempted Tenn. Walmart shoplifter accused of hitting officer with car, police say 10/17/2018

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — An attempted shoplifting suspect was taken into custody after police say he hit an officer with his car while trying to flee from a Walmart parking lot.

According to police, the officer was flagged down by a security guard at the Raleigh Lagrange Walmart store in regards to an attempted shoplifting.

After having the suspect identified to him, the officer asked the man to stop, but the man refused. Instead he took off running to a 2006 Pontiac Grand Am and jumped in the front seat.

A struggle ensued and the suspect eventually was able to start the car and pull away from the scene, hitting the officer in the process. Police said the suspect then drove approximately half a mile before he parked his car and tried to hide from officers. Complete article


Va. Walmart confrontation leads to tasing, arrest 10/16/2018

Police say a 64-year Haymarket man was tased and eventually arrested Sunday after a confrontation and assault on an officer at the Manassas Walmart on Liberia Avenue.

Police were called to the store at 10:29 a.m. for a report of a man screaming and damaging property, Prince William County police spokesman Nathan Probus said in a news release.

When the officer arrived, he found the suspect in front of the customer service counter. He attempted to detain the man, who refused to comply to commands, Probus said. During the confrontation, the officer deployed pepper spray and the man lunged at him, striking him in the chest, Probus said.

At that point, the officer tased the man who was eventually detained after a struggle. No officers were injured. The man, identified as George Warren Cummings of Mountain Road, was treated at the hospital for minor injuries. Complete article

Resisting arrest, 64-year-old Va. man pepper sprayed, tased at Manassas Walmart (Video) 10/18/2018


Indy pastor concerned about Walmart's sale of toy guns 10/15/2018

Fanny pack wearing man sought in Pa. Walmart theft 10/14/2018

Two Lebanon residents found with heroin while attempting to steal from Pa. Walmart 10/16/2018

Dubuque Iowa police asking for help identifying Walmart shoplifting suspects 10/17/2018

Pampa Tx. police find no threats to Walmart 10/17/2018 UPDATE at 8:46 a.m. 10/17: The city of Pampa confirms that police are investigating a bomb threat to the Walmart Supercenter.

Former Miss America, best-selling author, Missouri Walmart founder honored 10/17/2018

Walmart will save $20 million annually on floor wax 10/18/2018

Man’s body found in truck at Warner Robins Ga. Walmart 10/17/2018

A man was found dead in a pickup truck Wednesday morning in the parking lot of a Walmart Neighborhood Market in Warner Robins.

Jennifer Parson with Warner Robins Police did confirm a body was found at the location on Russell Parkway and she said they believe the man has been in the car since Tuesday, but they’re not sure about his time of death.

Houston County Coroner Danny Galpin said the man died of natural causes and he’d have to do an autopsy to officially confirm the man’s cause of death. Complete article


Thief River Falls man accused of kidnapping woman from Minn. Walmart parking lot 10/17/2018

THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn.— A Thief River Falls man has been accused of kidnapping a woman and repeatedly assaulting her, with court documents detailing how they were let go by a Minnesota state trooper during a traffic stop before he was later chased down by police.

Frank Anthony Kaiser, 32, was arrested Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 16, in Thief River Falls on felony charges of kidnapping, false imprisonment, domestic assault by strangulation, three controlled substance crimes and fleeing in a motor vehicle. His first court appearance was Wednesday, Oct. 17, in Pennington County District Court.

The woman said Kaiser showed up at Walmart, climbed into her car and told her to drive, according to court documents. The woman, who knew Kaiser, drove a couple miles outside Thief River Falls on Minnesota Highway 32 when they were stopped at 12:15 p.m. by State Trooper Sylvia Maurstad after the vehicle swerved and was going 73 mph, court documents said. Complete article


South Bend Ind. police officer accused of switching price tags turns himself in 10/18/2018

SOUTH BEND — A South Bend police officer has been charged with theft after reportedly switching the price tags on items at a local Walmart.

Brandon Jones, 33, turned himself in at 2:23 a.m. today, according to the St. Joseph County Jail.

Jones was charged Wednesday with theft, a Class A Misdemeanor, and delivery of a false sales document, a Level 6 Felony. A warrant for Jones’ arrest was issued.

South Bend Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski requested the Indiana State Police investigate the officer after he was stopped by employees at the Walmart on Ireland Road in South Bend about a month ago, according to a news release. Jones was placed on unpaid leave pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings and an internal investigation.

On Sept. 25, Jones was reportedly seen on surveillance video at self-scan register scanning University of Notre Dame apparel and placing the item into a shopping bag, according to a probable cause affidavit. Complete article


Man leaves unwanted deposit at Ohio Walmart 10/18/2018

ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP — After nature called for a man at Walmart, sheriff’s deputies were called.

Deputies investigated an incident earlier this week where a man was caught on camera defecating in a mechanic’s hamper at Walmart, 3551 North Ridge Road. The man, 53, of Concord, has not yet been charged, but could be charged with criminal damaging, according to a police report.

A Walmart security guard told police that around 8 a.m. Oct. 14 a man dressed in camouflage clothing entered the back room of the automotive department, pulled his pants down and went to the bathroom in a garbage can where employees put dirty uniforms.

The security guard reviewed surveillance footage and saw a man dressed in camouflage walk in and do just that, the report states. After purchasing a few items at the self checkout, the man got in a pickup truck and drove off. Complete article


Wadsworth Ohio Walmart reopens after hazmat situation 10/17/2018

The Wadsworth Walmart was evacuated and closed on Wednesday for a hazmat situation, according to the Wadsworth Police Department. The store is located at 222 Smokerise Drive.

No injuries were reported.

Authorities have not released any additional information regarding the situation or why the store was closed. Complete article


Man in motorized shopping cart accused of inappropriately touching teens at NC Walmart 10/18/2018

Waterbury woman attempted theft at Naugatuck Conn. Walmart 10/18/2018

After Hurricane Michael, new parents spend baby's first night in Fla. Walmart parking lot 10/18/2018

Shoplifting suspects stole $1,300 worth of items from Fla. Walmart, police say 10/18/2018

Man who may have knowledge about Mich. Walmart incident identified 10/17/2018

Beloit Wisc. Police seek thief who stole computers from Walmart 10/17/2018

Police looking for suspect after purse stolen out of Ohio Walmart cart 10/17/2018

BCSO Seeks To ID Suspects In Ga. Walmart Price Tag Scheme 10/17/2018 The sheriff's office said on its Facebook page that the pair used the store's self checkout lane to scan several packets of Kool-Aid in place of the actual tag of items they took from the store.

Walmart cutting big check to San Antonio children's hospital 10/18/2018

Ardmore Okla. police investigate shooting outside Walmart 10/18/2018

ARDMORE, Okla. (KXII) - Ardmore police are investigating a shooting that happened overnight in a Wal Mart parking lot that left one man hurt.

They say just after midnight they were called about a fight in the parking lot outside the store.

Detective Matt Miller says they are still investigating what led up to the fight but a group of people were involved and several shots were fired.

Miller says the man who was shot was taken to Mercy hospital and later flown to an Oklahoma City hospital. Complete article


Video shows Walmart employee telling man to speak English 'because we're in Texas' 10/18/2018

HOUSTON — A Houston area man is receiving threats for posting a video online showing a prejudiced comment from a Walmart employee.

Joel Aparicio said he was doing his Sunday shopping at a Pasadena Walmart when the self-checkout machine malfunctioned and a staffer arrived to help.

As the problem was worked out, Aparicio said he asked the Walmart employee if she spoke Spanish. She said no.

Aparicio said he then asked her if there was anyone available who did speak Spanish who could help him. He said the employee managed to fix the problem anyway and left, but the error occurred again moments later.

When the same woman returned to help him, Aparicio said she told him, in Spanish, that he shouldn't be in this country if he couldn't speak English.

That's when Aparicio said he began recording their interaction.

"It's necessary to speak English then?" Aparicio asks the woman in Spanish.

"Yes, because we're in Texas," she responds. Complete article


RECALL: Walmart salad blend with corn may have deadly Salmonella and Listeria contamination 10/18/2018

The following information has been released by the USDA:

GHSE, LLC, a Green Cove Springs, Florida establishment, is recalling approximately 738 pounds of ready-to-eat salad with meat products that contain a corn ingredient that may be contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The salads are sold at Walmart and other locations. Complete article


Walmart teams up with Gerber to test fresh baby meals in Texas and compete with delivery startups 10/15/2018

Gerber, the 91-year-old baby food brand, is being disrupted by demographics and competition from startups emphasizing freshness and transparency. Dallas-area babies and parents will be among the first to decide if Gerber can win back some market share.

Walmart and Gerber have teamed up to test a fresh baby and toddler food brand beginning this week in 50 stores in Texas, Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri. Walmart has installed refrigerated cases in its baby food aisles for the new Gerber brand called Freshful Start, said Diana Marshall, vice president of baby merchandising for Walmart U.S. Walmart selected stores for the Freshful Start test where parents are already using its online grocery pickup service, she said. Complete article

Gerber has turned into an oligarch as unethical as Walmart with several recalls and other consumer complains, but even more blatant is their fraudulent Gerber Life Insurance scams which don't provide a fair investment as they claim but as pointed out in Killing Kids For Insurance Is Semi-Routine they do provide incentive for unstable and desperate parents to try to get a return on their investment by killing their own kids.


Arkansas Woman Wearing Cow Costume Arrested For Shoplifting At Walmart Tells Officer ‘Suck A Pink Cow Udder’ 10/18/2018

PINE BLUFF (KATV) — An Arkansas woman dressed as a cow had beef with a Pine Bluff police officer after being arrested on a shoplifting charge Tuesday (Oct. 16) afternoon, our CNN affiliate in Little Rock KATV reports.

27-year-old Ashley Curry was caught on surveillance camera trying to steal a package of Flonase from a Pine Bluff Walmart, KATV says. An officer watched her as she decided to take off, dressed in a cow costume with pink udders, with the allergy spray.

After Curry was detained and was being searched by officers, she allegedly “stuck out her stomach area and told me I could ‘suck a pink cow udder,'” one of the arresting officers said.

The officers did not take Curry up on her offer, and she was charged with shoplifting and resisting arrest, KATV said. Complete article


2nd man charged with helping suspect in Hobart Ind. Walmart shooting that injured 2, including 9-year-old 10/18/2018

Scott Ostrem who pleaded guilty to Nov. 2017 Colorado Walmart slayings Sentenced To Life In Prison 10/19/2018

Memphis man wanted for stealing 2 TVs from Tenn. Walmart Supercenter 10/18/2018

Police try to ID suspects accused of stealing from Ind. Walmart 10/18/2018

Accidental 911 call leads to arrest at Brown Deer Wisc. Walmart store for an open warrant 10/18/2018

Franklin Ohio police: 2 sought after counterfeit $100 bills passed at Walmart 10/18/2018

Joliet Ill. Thief Stole From Menards And Walmart: Complaint 10/18/2018 Bail was set at $100,000 for two thefts exceeding $300 each.

Two women wanted in Ga. Walmart shoplifting cases 10/18/2018

Police searching for Pa. Walmart robbery suspect 10/19/2018

Help Bellefontaine Ohio police identify Walmart theft suspect 10/19/2018

Mich. Widow suing Walmart after husband dies days after slip and fall at store 10/19/2018

JONESVILLE, MI - A federal lawsuit was filed against Walmart Wednesday that claims a man died because of injuries he suffered from a slip and fall at the company's Jonesville store in May.

The lawsuit, originally filed in Hillsdale County Circuit Court on Aug. 17, claims James R. Secord was seriously injured on May 27 while exiting his vehicle in the store's automotive service department at 701 Olds Street, according to the lawsuit.

Secord, 67, of North Adams, died June 1, leaving behind his wife of 48 years, Pamala Secord, who is now seeking compensation for her husband's death in excess of $25,000, the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit was moved to federal court Oct. 17 as Walmart is a nationwide business.

After parking his car in at the automotive service department, Secord stepped out of his vehicle and tripped on a concrete defect on the floor which caused him to fall, according to the lawsuit. Complete article


Suspect allegedly caught on video punching 82-year-old man at Ohio Walmart arrested 10/19/2018

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - A man who was allegedly captured on camera punching an 82-year-old man with Alzheimer's in Walmart on Morse Road has been arrested by the Columbus Division of Police.

Patrick "Pimpin Pat" Brown, 29, was arrested on Wednesday at a condo near Polaris Parkway in Lewis Center, police said. He has been charged with assault.

Police say Brown also had traffic warrants for his arrest.

The elderly man was with his wife at the Walmart on Morse Road on June 9 at 1pm when he was assaulted. Brown allegedly spoke to the victim and then punches him in video recorded and posted to YouTube. Complete article


Smashing pumpkins gets man into trouble at Pa. Walmart store 10/19/2018

Smashing Pumpkins might be a great name for a rock band, but it's not something you should do in a Walmart store.

Yet that is exactly what happened in the Walmart just outside Shippensburg on Thursday night, state police said.

Trooper Scott Dojka reported he was called to the store on South Conestoga Drive in Shippensburg Township just before 7 p.m. to deal with a man who was in the store smashing pumpkins.

The man also had damaged a wheelchair and attacked a store employee, the trooper said. The suspect had then been tackled by customers. Complete article


Arson suspect who took jug of gas into Collin County Tx. Walmart Jan. 2017 found not guilty by reason of insanity 10/19/2018

A Princeton man accused of setting a fire inside a Walmart last year was found not guilty Thursday by reason of insanity.

Jairo Briceno-Barrientos, 30, was charged with arson and criminal mischief in connection with the store fire in Princeton, east of McKinney. The criminal mischief charge was a first-degree felony because it caused losses of more than $300,000, court records state.

State District Judge Richard Davis issued the insanity ruling during a hearing Thursday. He also issued a finding of dangerousness, which means there is likely a risk to others if Briceno-Barrientos is not provided with treatment and supervision. Complete article


"None of us wants to be Sears": A Walmart exec explains why the retailer will be making more "aggressive" strides into healthcare 10/19/2018

Walmart's VP of health and wellness transformation said the retailer will be making more aggressive strides into healthcare.

Marcus Osborne highlighted a few key projects that have been successful, including the self-service health kiosks that it has installed in stores and free health assessments.

Osborne said that retailers have to evolve to cater to what consumers need, or risk going bankrupt like Sears.

Walmart is gearing up to play a more active role in healthcare.

The biggest U.S. retailer has been testing a number of approaches for both its workers and customers, and is preparing to play a more "aggressive'' role, Marcus Osborne, Walmart's vice president of health and wellness transformation, said at the Financial Times Digital Health Summit on Wednesday.

"There's a need to create a real, true front door for healthcare that hasn't existed," said Osborne. "And to put that door where people are and use technology in an appropriate way, that's what we're trying to do."

An increasing number of retailers are rethinking their approaches to healthcare as they grapple with changing shopping habits. CVS Health has touted the benefits of delivering more care in its stores as a big reason for its $69 billion acquisition of insurer Aetna. Walgreens is putting telemedicine kiosks in some locations.

Walmart has been experimenting with healthcare for years, and Osborne highlighted some successes, such as the retailer's wellness events and the health check-up kiosks the retailer has in thousands of stores. The kiosks have been particularly popular with middle-aged white men who wouldn't otherwise see a doctor, he said.

The company also has medical clinics in a handful of stores and recently opened a dentist's office in one. Osborne said the dental office was a hit, and that during dental services, blood pressure and weight can also be checked to give consumers more "bang for your buck."

"The olden days, they had big palaces of healthcare they built, hoping people show up, or fail," Osborne said. "Trying to address the need where people are and doing it in a way where you don't ask them to have to come out of their lives is the challenge."

Osborne said that in the next 5 to 10 years, retail is going to transform because consumers' demands are changing. Retailers are also facing a big challenge from Amazon, which is drawing shoppers away from stores by offering convenience and low prices, and is getting into healthcare as well. He said retailers like Walmart are working to adapt to avoid the fate of Sears, which filed for bankruptcy this week.

"We all want to exist in 10 years," Osborne said. "None of us wants to be Sears." Complete article


Doctor on Demand expands through Walmart collaboration 10/19/2018

Walmart and the parent company of Mucinex are partnering with Doctor On Demand, a virtual care provider headquartered in California that has spread nationwide and is steadily expanding.

On Wednesday, RB, the English-based health and hygiene company, announced that consumers who purchase their products Mucinex, Airborne or Digestive Advantage at Walmart stores or through walmart.com would receive a limited-time offer for a medical video visit with a Doctor on Demand physician at no cost.

Doctor on Demand already has a number of direct contracts with large employers including Walmart, Wells Fargo, Comcast, American and United Airlines. Employees at these companies are able to use Doctor on Demand services.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Virtual care is a big part of the future of healthcare. It is not replacing face-to-face physician visits, but represents a less expensive, more convenient consumer care experience, exactly the direction the healthcare industry has been told to head. Complete article


Fort Smith Arkansas Walmart Offers Online Payment for Welfare Customers 10/19/2018

FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA) - People on welfare in Fort Smith can now use Walmart's online pickup option.

This new program not only advances the store's offerings, but makes things like grocery shopping easier for shoppers in Fort Smith and the surrounding areas.

"We have people that come from Oklahoma to use our service so it's not just affecting Fort Smith it's affecting the surrounding areas giving them an opportunity to have a new service," said Walmart associate Heath Grady. Complete article


America’s Biggest Employer Isn’t Hiring Seasonal Employees This Year. Here’s the Reason Why 10/19/2018 Instead, Walmart is forgoing the long-standing practice in favor of giving it’s full- and part-time employees more hours and opportunities to earn extra cash.

Suspects in Anaheim Ca. Walmart robbery caught near Cal State Fullerton 10/21/2018

Slow recovery for man shot in Walmart parking lot in Tumwater Wash. on Father's Day 10/21/2018

UPDATE: Suspect in Theft at Cadillac Mich. Walmart Turns Himself In 10/21/2018

Witnesses: Alleged shootout behind Panda Express at busy Jacksonville Fla. shopping center including Walmart 10/22/2018

Multiple witnesses have described a shootout that happened behind the Panda Express on Beach Blvd. near Hodges Blvd. midday Sunday.

According to witnesses, two people were seen shooting at each other behind the restaurant in a busy shopping center that includes a Walmart, First Watch restaurant and Nothing Bundt Cakes.

According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, at 11:36 a.m. officers responded to the scene of 13460 Beach Boulevard in reference to a dispute outside where shots were fired. Complete article


Arson charge after man begins setting clothes on fire in Ky. Walmart 10/21/2018

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Russell Craycraft faces an arson charge after police say he started lighting clothes on fire at the Walmart in Hamburg Pavilion.

According to an arrest citation, around 6 PM Friday night, Craycraft used a lighter to burn clothes in the men’s department of Walmart.

The citation also says surveillance video shows Craycraft starting the fires, as employees try to put them out.

Craycraft even admitted he did it, according to the citation, telling police it was because he wanted to. Complete article


Man Arrested After Flipping Car In Parking Lot Of Frankfort Ky. Walmart 10/20/2018

FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) – A man was arrested for wanton endangerment after flipping his car in the Walmart parking lot in Frankfort.

Frankfort Police say before 7:00p.m. on Saturday evening, Timothy Drew was backing out of a parking spot at Walmart when he accelerated at a high rate of speed.

Reportedly Drew then cut the wheel sharply, causing the car to overturn.

Police say there were two children inside the car, luckily they were not hurt aside from a few cuts and bruises. Complete article


Cartersville Ga. Walmart self checkout lane Price Tag-Swapping Suspects Arrested 10/22/2018

Sheriff's Office: 2 shoplifters wanted after $5,000+ in merchandise stolen from Cut Off La. Walmart 10/22/2018

Two Milwaukee Wisc. teens, 13, arrested for retail theft at Walmart 10/22/2018

Police close Fremont Ohio Walmart for threat claims 10/22/2018 Fremont police evacuated a Walmart store on the city’s north side Monday afternoon after the store reported receiving threats from telephone callers who claimed to be inside or nearby with a gun. The police department said it has identified two out-of-state individuals who they believe made several phone calls.

Man living with grandmother in The Villages arrested after seizure at Fla. Wal-Mart 10/22/2018

Bond set for woman accused in Louisiana Sept. Walmart shooting 10/22/2018

Police: Man steals 24 energy drinks from Hillsborough NC Walmart, acted like 'Energizer bunny' 10/22/2018

Police: Shoplifter pulled knife on employee at Anchorage Alaska Walmart 10/23/2018

A 21-year-old man was charged with robbery and assault after he shoplifted at an East Anchorage Walmart, pulled a pocketknife on an employee then ran out of the store, police said.

Joshua Pressley was arrested Sunday night in a mobile home park off Muldoon Road, police said.

Police were called to the Walmart on DeBarr Road around 10:30 p.m., and an employee reported that a man was seen shoplifting then pulled a blue-handled pocketknife on an employee, police wrote in an online report. Complete article


Westminster man accused of shoplifting at self-checkout allegedly pepper-sprayed Md. Walmart employee 10/22/2018

Westminster man was arrested Thursday after he allegedly sprayed a Walmart loss prevention manager with pepper spray after being confronted about theft.

Kyle Nathan Begly, 31, of no fixed address, was charged with eight counts including second-degree assault, use of pepper mace with the intent to injure and malicious destruction of property less than $1,000. He is being held on $5,000, according to Carroll County Central Booking records. .....

The manager said he observed Begly on closed-circuit footage going through self-checkout without paying for items he had attempted to conceal. Two managers attempted to confront Begly after he exited the store. Begly sprayed one manager with pepper spray before placing the stolen items down and leaving, the manager told police, according to the statement. Complete article


Kentucky Walmart employee accused of stealing $28K from store 10/22/2018

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WKYT) - A woman is accused of stealing $28,000 from the Walmart she worked at in Kentucky.

WDRB reports 39-year-old Tiffany Cecil was charged with theft after stealing the large sum of money from a Louisville Walmart.

A store manager stopped Cecil Friday when she was seen taking $1,300 from her drawer.

Police say all of the thefts were captured on security video. Complete article


Massive food recall hits Harris Teeter, Kroger, Walmart and more 10/22/2018

You may want to think twice about those grab-and-go-food items.

Millions of pounds of ready-to-eat salads and premade food items including entrees, burritos, wraps and pizzas at several big name retailers such as Harris Teeter, Kroger, Whole Foods, 7-Eleven, Trader Joe's and Walmart have been recalled due to the potential risk of listeria and salmonella contamination. The recalls stem from those issued by a dozen food manufacturers including Bakkavor Foods, Envolve Foods and Ruiz Food Products. The food makers notified the U.S. Department of Agriculture about products they shipped that could include ingredients such as corn, diced onions and other vegetables possibly tainted with bacteria – all provided from a single company, McCain Foods, the USDA says.

The initial recalls, announced by the USDA on Oct. 17, involved relatively small quantities, ranging from 217 pounds to 940 pounds of salads. Among those products recalled last week were Whole Foods' santa fe style salad with chicken, sold at stores in California; Trader Joe's labeled BBQ flavored chicken salad, sold in several states; and Walmart's marketside fiesta salad with steak, sold in some of its stores.

But some of the latest recalls involve far larger quantities of ingredients including 795,261 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products such as Harris Teeter Deli-Bakery brand bacon, egg and cheese burritos, and chicken sausage, egg white and cheese breakfast burritos. Complete article


Man runs after crashing into safety poles at Ariz. Walmart 10/23/2018

BULLHEAD CITY — Police chased down a man after he crashed his vehicle into safety bollards at Walmart in Bullhead City.

Anthony Milo Garcia, 39, was cited and released at Western Arizona Regional Medical Center for leaving the scene of an accident of a fixed structure, said Emily Fromelt, Bullhead City Police Department spokeswoman. Complete article


BPD looking for a Southwest Bakersfield Ca. Walmart robbery suspect 10/22/2018 Police said that on Aug. 30 when the suspect attempted to leave, he was confronted by an employee who tried to stop him. During the confrontation, the suspect assaulted the employee and fled the business.

Man arrested for petty larceny from Okla. Walmart, unlawful carrying of a firearm 10/22/2018

Gypsy band members target Mount Pleasant Iowa Walmart 10/23/2018

Wareham Mass. Police say tips led to Providence man’s arrest for dragging 76-year-old Walmart employee 10/23/2018

Pryor Okla. Walmart Evacuated Because Of Bomb Threat 10/23/2018

Woman faces charges in connection with man accused of Sept. Hobart Ind. Walmart shooting 10/23/2018

Plea deal to be offered in Ariz. Walmart fraud case 10/23/2018

Police: Help Identify Suspects Who Choked Md. Walmart Employee During Robbery 10/23/2018

BALTIMORE COUNTY (WJZ) — Police are asking for help in identifying two suspects who assaulted a Walmart employee as they attempted to escape with a shopping cart of stolen goods.

Baltimore County police say the suspects attempted to leave the store in the 3600 block of Washington Boulevard in Arbutus from the auto department around 2:37 p.m. on Monday when they were stopped by a woman who worked at the Walmart, who asked for a receipt for the items in the shopping cart.

As the suspect in the red shirt pushed the cart forward into her the suspect in the black shirt grabbed her arm and tried to push her out of the way, then began to choke her around the neck. Complete article


Man arrested for assaulting woman in Fla. Walmart parking lot 10/23/2018

Deputies in Charlotte County are investigating after a woman was assaulted in a Port Charlotte Walmart parking lot.

Timothy Hill, 57, is charged with carjacking using a weapon and kidnapping.

The woman was sitting in her vehicle at the store on Murdock Circle just before 11 a.m. Tuesday and started to get out of her car when a man approached, pointed a gun at her, and demanded that she get out, according to officials. Complete article


Walmart strikes renewable energy deal with SunPower 10/24/2018

Grocery giant Walmart has entered into an agreement with SunPower that will see the renewable energy firm install solar power at two distribution centers and 19 stores in Illinois.

A combination of rooftop and ground-mount systems will be installed, and are set to account for 23 megawatts of power.

Walmart's vice president for energy, Mark Vanderhelm, said in a statement Tuesday that solar was a vital component of the firm's expanding renewable energy portfolio. Complete article


Walmart employees can now use their cell phones during work — and the company is giving them discounts on their phone bills 10/23/2018

Walmart employees are getting new cell phone privileges.

The company plans to announce Tuesday that starting this month, Walmart will allow store employees to use their cell phones on the sales floor to clock in, check inventory and prices, scan products, review sales data, and perform other work-related tasks.

Previously, Walmart employees were banned from using their phones on the sales floor.

Employees who participate in the new program, which Walmart is calling "bring your own device," or BYOD, will get a discount on their cell phone bills, the company said. The program is optional. Complete article


Women accused of robbing 81-year-old victim outside Fla. Walmart 10/23/2018

Police: Suspected shoplifter pushes elderly man when escaping Berea Ky. Walmart 10/23/2018

Ohio Walmart employees report damaged vehicles 10/24/2018 The victims think that the suspect is someone they had arrested for shoplifting. One victim told police that a few months ago a shoplifting suspect said to her, “it would be a shame if one of the shoplifters you catch gets mad and damaged your car.”

Walmart exec in Atlanta: We want to redevelop our parking lots into bustling town centers 10/24/2018 A top executive with Walmart shared the company's vision during an Atlanta retail conference.

Sharp-eyed Nebraska Walmart North employee credited in arrest 10/24/2018

Police searching for Mililani Hawaii Walmart voyeur 10/24/2018

Couple says Ariz. Walmart employee prevented them from calling 911 for an unconscious co-worker 10/24/2018

MESA, AZ - When calling 911, every second matters.

One Valley couple claims a Walmart employee hung up the phone as they tried to dial for help.

It all happened after another employee fainted inside the Mesa Walmart off Baseline Road and Country Club Drive.

Cindee and Matthew Larkin said a young lady passed out and collapsed on the floor.

It was initially supposed to be a quick shopping trip for phone cases when all of a sudden there was panic.

"My husband and I witnessed a Walmart employee faint and hit the floor. My first concern was, we need to get help," said Cindee Larkin, who has worked as a paramedic in the past.

Larkin followed her instincts and grabbed the nearest Walmart landline.

"Reached out, picked it up, attempted to dial 911. Another Walmart employee ran up to me, hung up the phone, and handled my wrist," she said. "Physically stopped me from calling 911." Complete article


Man Tells SC Mom To 'Gag' Baby For Being Too Loud At Walmart Humming 'Baby Shark' Song 10/24/2018

Ashley Hamilton claimed her one-year-old son, Rio, was humming the popular "Baby Shark" song when a customer told her to shut him up.

A confrontation between a mother and a man in a Gaffney, South Carolina Walmart is going viral after the woman recorded the man instructing her to gag her one-year-old son.

The video, which was posted on Monday, now has more than 300,000 views.

"I'm shocked that it went that far," said Ashley Hamilton, the mother who shot the video. Complete article


Mom uses lit cigarette to stop Fla. Walmart carjacking 10/24/2018

Deputies in Charlotte County arrested a man for assaulting a woman in a Port Charlotte Walmart parking lot.

Timothy Ray Hill, 57, is charged with carjacking using a weapon, kidnapping, and battery.

Megan Adams, a single mother of two kids, was sitting in her vehicle at the store on Murdock Circle just before 11 a.m. Tuesday and started to get out of her car when Hill approached, pointed a gun at her, and demanded that she get out. Complete article


Two shot dead at a Kroger grocery store in Kentucky, police say 10/24/2018

A male suspect fatally shot a man and a woman at a Kroger grocery store on the outskirts of Louisville, Kentucky, on Wednesday, and then exchanged fire with an armed bystander before fleeing the scene, police said. He was captured shortly afterward.

Both victims died at the store, said Jeffersontown Police Chief Sam Rogers. He did not say whether police had determined a motive. He also did not identify the suspect.

Police received a call about 3 p.m. reporting the shooting, Rogers said. He said the suspect fired multiple rounds at the man inside the store, and shot the female victim multiple times out in the parking lot. A citizen armed with a gun engaged the shooter in the parking lot, but the suspect was able to flee before he was captured on a nearby road, Rogers said. Complete article

US: Two Dead in Racist Shooting At Kentucky Grocery Store 10/24/2018 "He (the armed man) said, ‘please don’t shoot and I won’t shoot you,’ whites don’t kill whites,” Zinninger told Wave3 News. Wave3 News reported that the female victim was black.

Man who killed 2 at Kroger tried to enter a predominantly black church minutes earlier, police say 10/26/2018


Fired, arrested Ind. Walmart worker loses appeal 10/25/2018

The Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the grant of summary judgment for Walmart when it found a former employee at its Greencastle store who was fired and arrested for theft after buying deeply discounted tires could not support his claims against the retail giant.

Denny Neff worked as a service writer in the tire and lube express department at the store. In September 2014, Neff and two other Walmart employees removed tires, described by Neff as “outdated and deleted” from the service area and then purchased them at a steeply discounted price. The employees claimed the assistant manager had approved of the discount, which was one-fifth to one-tenth the tires’ retail price. Neff and the two other employees then rang up the transactions for one another at the cash register.

The next day, Neff was arrested on suspicion of theft and terminated from his employment with Walmart after an investigation and interview conducted by Walmart’s asset protection manager. The asset protection manager confirmed that pursuant to the store’s associate purchase policy, Neff had no authority to set the discounted price without prior managerial approval. He then concluded that Neff had intended to commit a theft of the tires. The state declined to press charges against Neff, who in 2015 sued Walmart as well as the city of Greencastle and the Greencastle Police Department, which have been dismissed from the suit. Complete article


Hendersonville Tenn. Police: Man responsible for Walmart bomb threat arrested 10/25/2018

Counterfeit Money At Pa. Walmart 10/25/2018

Woman involved in 2016 shots fired incident at Augusta Me. Walmart pleads guilty to federal drug charges 10/25/2018

3 arrested for Missouri Walmart theft of Apple electronics possibly part of larger operation, police say 10/25/2018

Person fatally shot in Westminster Colorado Walmart parking lot, police searching for Dodge Durango 10/26/2018

WESTMINSTER, Colo. — One person was killed in a shooting in the parking lot of a Walmart early Friday morning and police are looking for the suspects.

False Flag Bombs, incredible Incompetence or Both? The shooting happened around 2:20 a.m. outside the store, which is located off of I-25 at W. 136th Avenue.

A person in a black Dodge Durango is suspected of shooting and killing the driver of another vehicle, after the two had been parked for about 20 minutes, according to Investigator Wayne Read with the Westminster Police Department. Complete article

Surveillance Video Shows Cars Involved In Walmart Parking Lot Shooting 10/26/2018

Man in his 50s fatally shot in Walmart parking lot in Westminster 10/26/2018


Vacaville Ca. Police Post Video Of Suspects In Unprovoked Attack At Wal-Mart 10/25/2018

VACAVILLE (CBS SF) – Police in Vacaville are asking for the public’s help in identifying three suspects in an unprovoked attack at a Wal-Mart store earlier this month.

The three males in their late teens to early 20s approached a male who went to Wal-Mart at 2050 Nut Tree Road on Oct. 11 to make a purchase but the store was closed, police said.

Without warning, the three males threw the victim to the ground, struck him in the head and face with their fists and kicked his body, police said. The victim was not robbed.

Two witnesses interrupted the attack and the male suspects fled in a vehicle believed to be an early 2000s model Saturn Ion. Complete article


Pair uses kids to help break into, steal from Evendale Ohio Walmart 10/25/2018

CINCINNATI — A man and woman took children with them when they decided to steal thousands of dollars worth of stuff from a Walmart in Evendale, police said.

Authorities said Jayson Pedroza, 38, and Christina Beavan, 38, trespassed at the store on Cunningham Drive a week ago with who are believed to be Pedroza's kids by their side.

The children's ages were not available, but police said they were juveniles. Complete article


Deputies looking for 2 suspects accused of stealing from Walmart in Wimauma Fla. 10/26/2018

Hudson Falls woman pleads guilty to two NY Walmart burglaries 10/26/2018

Would-Be Wash. Walmart Shoplifters Pile Up the Goods 10/2/2018 Pasco police are seeking these two suspects who Monday evening allegedly piled all the items on the receipt pictured, and then pushed their cart out without paying. They were confronted by a loss prevention officer, and they fled on foot and got away.

DCS: Mom allegedly left 2 toddlers alone to hang out at Tenn. Walmart 10/26/2018

Mail Bomb suspect cited for stealing from Walmart in West Palm Beach Fla. 10/26/2018

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — The man suspected of being behind the slew of suspicious packages sent to high level officials was once cited for retail theft from a local Walmart.

Documents show 56-year-old Cesar Altieri Sayoc was questioned in 2015 for trying to steal luggage from the Walmart on 45th Street in West Palm Beach. According to the police report, Sayoc was shopping in the Walmart when he placed a rolling briefcase and a garment bag into his car with other items. When he went up to the cash register, he paid for the other items, except for the briefcase and garment bag, the report said. Complete article


Legionnaires' Found in McHenry County Ill. Walmart, Chicago Nursing Home 10/26/2018

Two new clusters of Legionnaires' disease cases were being investigated Friday by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

A Johnsburg Walmart in McHenry County has been identified by health officials as a potential exposure source. Three people who reported being at the store were diagnosed with the lung infection. At the Warren Barr South Loop nursing home in Chicago, two residents also contracted Legionnaires' disease.

"I'm very shocked," Walmart shopper Shelby Nelson said. "Never had to worry about before, now it's a huge concern."

Legionnaires' disease is a form of pneumonia that people can get by breathing in small droplets of water containing Legionella bacteria. Walmart has taken action: including turning off produce water sprays. Some shoppers say they are concerned, while others say the store is doing all it can. Complete article


Blind Marylanders sue Walmart, saying self-serve checkouts violate ADA 10/26/2018

Three blind Maryland residents and the National Federation of the Blind are suing Walmart, alleging that the company violates the Americans with Disabilities Act because its self-checkout kiosks are not fully accessible to blind customers.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday in U.S. District Court, also claims that an employee at the Walmart in Owings Mills allegedly attempted to take money from one of the plaintiffs while she was checking out at the store.

The suit claims that a staff member at the Owings Mills store on Reisterstown Road was assisting Cynthia Morales with a purchase at a self-checkout kiosk in July 2017 when the employee selected an option for cash back from her debit card and took $40 without her knowledge.

“It’s important for blind people to be able to use the machines independently … so that people are not stealing from us,” Morales, a Parkville resident, said in an interview. “We should be treated like everybody else — when we come into the store we would like to check out at the self-checkout quickly just like everybody else, and I know that the technology is out there.” Complete article


Man charged with hit and run after accident at La. Walmart parking lot 10/26/2018

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - A man was arrested following a hit and run accident at a Walmart parking lot in Baton Rouge.

On Sunday, a deputy with the East Baton Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a hit and run incident at the Walmart on College Drive, according to the probable cause report.

The deputy reported, based on witnesses' account, that Carlos Dominguez hit a parked vehicle while he was trying to pull into a parking space. Complete article


Accused Palatka Fla. Walmart shoplifter walks in front of courthouse with 'I stole' sign 10/26/2018

The suspended Putnam County school board member who reportedly shoplifted from Walmart was sentenced to walk in front the courthouse with a 'I stole from a local store' sign.

Nikki Cummings was arrested earlier this year after she was accused of grand theft after an incident at the Palatka Walmart.

Photos showed Cummings carrying the sign on Friday in front of the Putnam County Courthouse while holding a beverage. Complete article


Walmart to Pay $160 Million to Settle Shareholder Suit - WSJ 10/26/2018

Walmart Inc. agreed to pay $160 million to settle a long-running shareholder class-action suit related to the U.S. government’s continuing investigation of the retailer for alleged bribery.

The settlement with the City of Pontiac General Employees Retirement System adds to the hundreds of millions of dollars the retailer has spent over six years related to the investigation. Walmart didn’t admit fault as part of the settlement, the company said. Complete article


Man sentenced for July 2016 gun threat at Ariz. Walmart 10/26/2018

UPDATE: Criminal investigation opened into bomb hoax at Walmart store in Anderson Ca. 10/26/2018

Three sought after Tx. Walmart cashier conned 10/26/2018

Trio arrested in statewide Missouri Walmart theft 10/26/2018

From entire lawn sets to used toilets, these are the most ridiculous returns employees from Costco, Walmart, and Target say they've ever gotten 10/25/2018

Man convicted of Nov. 2016 armed robbery outside of La. Walmart 10/26/2018

Local woman harassed at SC Walmart; posts video on Facebook that gets attention 10/26/2018

Gary firefighter charged with hiding Ind. Walmart shooter from police last month is off payroll, but was allowed to finish training 10/26/2018

Sapulpa Okla. police search for suspect accused of using victim's credit card at Walmart 10/28/2018

Battery burglars hit Pa. Walmart 10/29/2018

Naked man goes shopping in Wahpeton ND Walmart 10/27/2018

WAHPETON, ND. (Valley News Live) - A man in the Wahpeton Walmart was captured shopping naked.

An eyewitness tells us she saw the naked man shopping for produce around 5 p.m. on October 25.

It's also said that the same man was seen in Econofoods in Wahpeton.

He was seen wearing shoes and a hat, but no other clothing. Complete article


17-year-old disgruntled Clarence NY Walmart employee arrested following incident 10/28/2018

CLARENCE, NY (WIVB) - A Walmart employee was pepper-sprayed and arrested following an incident at the Clarence Walmart on Saturday, according to New York State Police.

State Police said in a news release that a 17-year-old employee became angry over a job assignment and began knocking over merchandise.

The employee also harassed co-workers, according to the news release.

State Police said she refused to comply with commands, leading to the pepper-spraying and her arrest. Complete article


Man attacked with hatchet found in south side Indianapolis Ind. Walmart parking lot, in serious condition 10/29/2018

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A man who had been attacked by a hatchet was found in a Walmart parking lot on the city's south side, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

Just before noon on Monday, officers responded to the Walmart in the 7200 block of U.S. 31 for a man who had been attacked.

After arriving on scene, police learned that the victim had been attacked by a hatchet. He then drove himself to the Walmart parking lot, where he was discovered, following the attack. Complete article


Walmart Is Testing a Smaller, Cashierless Sam’s Club 10/29/2018

Amazon’s cashierless stores are about to get some competition — from Amazon’s archrival.

Walmart will soon open a Sam’s Club Now store in Dallas. The concept store measures about a quarter of the size of a regular Sam’s Club — or about 32,000 square feet — and will focus on selling fresh food and alcohol.

The idea of the new store evolved from the Sam’s Club Scan and Go app, which lets customers scan barcodes and pay directly within the app at its other stores.

Shoppers at the Dallas store will need to use a custom Sam’s Club Now app. It comes loaded with features, including shopping lists that auto-fill based on past purchases, an interactive store map that navigates shoppers along the “best route,” and augmented reality features that will give shoppers additional product information.

In the future, 700 cameras will help the store “manage inventory in new ways.” Complete article


Police search for man they say shoved woman, stole purse in Walmart parking lot 10/29/2018

Doctors Say Walmart Opioid Policy Tough to Swallow 10/29/2018 Walmart's new strategy to help stop opioid abuse isn't sitting well with some doctors.

Police: Suspicious Car Reported Near Lodi Ca. Walmart, 30 Grams Of Ecstasy Found Inside 10/29/2018

Most Wanted: Suspected Walmart serial shoplifter sought in Wilson County Tenn. 10/29/2018

Ill. Walmart evacuated after threat from teen 10/29/2018

Police searching for woman suspected of shoplifting from Walmart on Sunset Blvd Lexington SC 10/29/2018

SWAT team swarmed Lincoln slaying suspects as they slept in NM Walmart parking lot, police say in filings 10/29/2018

SWAT team officers swarmed a Walmart parking lot in New Mexico over the weekend to arrest two of the people sought in connection with a slaying in north Lincoln.

Jesse J. Wilson, Sherry L. Thomas and James R. Howard had all been identified by police as persons of interest in the death of Stacy Talbot, who police believe was shoved out of a car while dying of gunshot wounds the night of Oct. 18.

Howard was arrested in Texas early Friday; the other two were arrested the following night in Clovis, New Mexico, inside a stolen car police say might have been used in Talbot's killing.

Clovis police described launching flash bangs and tear gas at the Hyundai Sonata after spotting Thomas, 34, and Wilson, 32, sleeping inside. Officers then blocked them with an armored vehicle as they tried to drive away and sent a police dog into the Sonata after the pair refused to climb out.

The scene unfolded just before 2:30 a.m. Saturday, after the U.S. Marshals Service and Clovis police geo-located a cellphone belonging to one of the pair that was “pinging” to the Walmart on the city’s northwest side, Clovis police spokesman Capt. Roman Romero said in a news release. Complete article


Police investigating armed robbery at Owensboro Ky. Walmart 10/29/2018

OWENSBORO, KY (WFIE) - Police are investigating a robbery in Owensboro.

It happened Saturday night just before midnight at the Walmart on Highway 54.

Police say the victims told officers someone with a gun walked up to them and demanded their vehicles. Both victims were able to run away and police say nothing was actually stolen during the robbery. Complete article


Man wanted in attack, theft in Wisc. Walmart parking lot earlier this month 10/29/2018

WEST MILWAUKEE, Wis. — West Milwaukee police on Monday continued their search for a man who attacked a woman in a Walmart parking lot earlier this month.

Surveillance video from the store on the 4400 block of West Greenfield Avenue shows the man walk up behind the 52-year-old victim on Oct. 13, knock her to the ground and steal her purse.

Police said the man got away in a white Pontiac Grand Prix. Complete article


Walmart to use roving checkout scanners to streamline holiday shopping 10/30/2018

Walmart Inc. is aiming to get customers in and out of its stores more smoothly this upcoming holiday season, adding roving checkout scanners and digital maps to help shoppers.

The retail giant announced Tuesday a host of improvements intended to streamline how its customers shop over the busy holidays, including Check Out With Me, a service that will place Walmart workers with handheld scanners in the busiest areas of its stores, such as the garden center and electronics, so customers can grab a big item and pay for it right there, skipping the regular checkout lines.

While the service is intended for shoppers with one or two bulky items, it will be available for all, Walmart said. Complete article

Walmart Doubles Down On Its Transformation Into A Technology Company 10/22/2018

UPS, Walmart Find Electric Vehicles Offer Benefits, Opportunities 10/29/2018

Walmart And Unilever's Push To Halt Deforestation May Signal Change For Business 10/25/2018


Man accused of up-skirt photo in Hawaii Walmart is a sex offender in Texas 10/29/2018

LCSO: Man stole 14-year-old's wallet from Fla. Walmart checkout register 10/29/2018

Walmart files another lawsuit against the city of Delafield Wisc., claiming it was over assessed on its 2018 taxes 10/31/2018

Police search for Tx. Walmart shoplifting suspect 10/30/2018 The woman stole clothes and food totally almost $150.

Mount Pleasant Wisc. Police searching for Walmart theft suspects 10/30/2018

Ochsner Health Network and La. Walmart to launch new health plan 10/30/2018

Teen, adult arrested in Pasco Wash. drive-by shooting after returning to Walmart store 10/29/2018

PASCO, Wash. - Police say a man and a teen have been arrested in a shooting that critically injured a Pasco man.

The Pasco Police Department said two victims were shot at after leaving the Walmart store in Pasco Saturday night.

According to police reports, a group of four was nearby while the two men were leaving and possibly misidentified the two as members of a rival group.

The group tailgated the two in their car and pulled up next to them after turning onto Court Street.

According to reports, the group then yelled at the victims, then one or more of the occupants fired shots at them.

The passenger, a 20-year-old man from Pasco, was shot in the chest. He was taken to Kadlec Regional Medical Center for treatment.

Police said the latest information they received indicated the victim's condition was improving.

Following an investigation, Walmart employees informed detectives some of the suspects in the shooting were back at the store Sunday evening. Complete article


Man Arrested for Pointing Gun Outside Meadville Pa. Walmart 10/31/2018

One person is in custody following a reported incident involving a gun in a Crawford County Walmart parking lot.

Vernon Township Police say they got called to the home and garden side of the Meadville Walmart around 7 p.m. Tuesday. It was a report of someone pointing a gun at another shopper outside the store.

Police got a description of the suspect, and found him inside another store nearby. They took that man into custody without further incident. Complete article


Beer, steaks and jewelry go flying after SC Walmart shoplifting suspect crashes moped 10/30/2018

SPARTANBURG, SC A shoplifting suspect who drove away after taking a variety of food and jewelry items from a South Carolina store was arrested after his moped crashed, scattering the stolen merchandise in the roadway, according to police.

Spartanburg police officers responded to a wreck involving a moped on East Main Street at Dawn Redwood Drive around 10:30 a.m. Monday, according to a Spartanburg Police Department incident report. They found a yellow moped that had crashed and a man laying in the street.

The man was taken to a hospital for treatment. While police searched his book bag and clothing for identification, they found several items that were believed to have been recently stolen, according to the report. Complete article


Three women arrested for attempting to fight employee at Brown Deer Wisc. Walmart 10/31/2018

BROWN DEER, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Three women were arrested Monday after allegedly attempting to fight a Walmart employee.

Police were called to the Brown Deer location around 5:09 p.m. for a report of the three females inside of the store who wanted to fight an employee. The business wanted the women to leave.

Officers arrived on scene and took a 36-year-old Milwaukee woman and two 20-year-old Milwaukee women into custody for valid warrants. Complete article


Electrical fire at Walmart in Delray Beach Fla. 10/31/2018

KCSO looking for suspect in Idaho Walmart theft 10/31/2018

VIDEO: Heavy damaged reported at Ocean Springs Walmart, parts of South Mississippi 10/31/2018

Smyrna Tenn. police looking for suspects in diaper and formula thefts from Walmart 10/31/2018

Man opens fire in Miramichi Canada Walmart, leads police on 70 km car chase 10/31/2018

A man opened fire inside a Walmart in Miramichi and led police on a lengthy car chase Wednesday before being stopped near Richibucto, according to Miramichi city police.

Police were en route to the store in response to a complaint shortly after 5 p.m. when a firearm was discharged, said Sgt. Bob Bruce in a release. The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle and headed south on Route 11.

The vehicle was stopped with the help of Richibucto RCMP and the occupants were taken into custody. .....

Street said a Walmart employee member told her three shots were fired but no one was hit.

"She explained it was a shoplifting thing that kind of went wrong … and he hauled out a gun," Street said. Complete article


Police: Skowhegan woman tried to leave Augusta Me. Walmart with $1,500 in stolen merchandise 10/31/2018

AUGUSTA — A shopper seen on surveillance video Tuesday throwing numerous items into a cart at the Augusta Walmart without checking the prices triggered the attention of loss prevention personnel, authorities said.

When the woman then pushed the full cart past the registers without stopping to pay for anything, two theft prevention workers stopped her.

The woman, Ruth Higginbotham, 28, of Skowhegan, now faces a felony-level charge of theft by unauthorized taking for allegedly trying to sneak out of the store without paying for about $1,500 worth of merchandise. Complete article


Troopers seek public’s help in NY Walmart larceny 10/31/2018 Troopers said at about 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 20 at the Walmart located at 7494 Route 11 in the town, a woman stole salt and pepper shakers as well as other, unknown items.

Man Charged With Stealing Jeep From Missouri Walmart 10/31/2018

Burlington police: 2 charged after NC Walmart parking lot robbery attempt 11/01/2018

Md. 'Walmart Cowboy' sentenced in LSD case 10/30/2018

Suspect in 2017 Shawnee teen’s stabbing at Okla. Walmart gets life sentences 10/31/2018

Stabbing in Walmart parking lot leads to police chase in West Jordan Utah 11/01/2018


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