Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Wal-Mart Crime report February 2016





There were at least eight shooting incidents at Walmart, with at least seven people getting shot, although two of them were only shot with a BB gun but at least one of the others dies. Two of the shootings involved police including one where the suspect was killed. Several of these shootings sent customers into panics.

This is a high number of shootings even for Walmart, which gets several every month and it doesn't count armed robberies that didn't involve shots fired.

Walmart always has higher crime problems than other stores, even other Big-Box stores but this month there were at least four states where articles exposed the problem in local articles to the public, although they didn't let the public know about all the other problems around the country. One of the local police forces in Alaska is trying to address the problem with life size cut-outs of police telling everyone they will be prosecuted. Do they want all their customers to feel as if they will be treated like criminals even if they aren't shoplifting? If this authoritarian method was going to work it almost certainly would have done so long ago.

They continue to ignore root causes of crime like lack of opportunities or frustration with corporate bureaucracy that enrages a large number of people especially when they realize that the government does little or nothing when large corporations don't address complaints but they're quick to hold poor people accountable, and even the design of their stores that allows surprising numbers of people to walk out with entire shopping carts full of merchandise. This includes mistakes at the self checkout lane which may be treated like criminal activity without asking Walmart to reconsider their self checkout policies.

thanks to cuts in budgets many small towns are relying on grants from Walmart to protect their public servants, which may sound good but it creates a conflict of interest which might be impacting crime prevention policies, enable the ideologies of corporate executives to influence police methods. this possibility seems cynical but police departments routinely demonstrate they agree with current methods even though they're often proven to be ineffective. This results in dangerous situations where both petty thieves and security of police are endangered. This includes at least one example where a shoplifter dies after being forcibly detained, another where an employee was run over by a pick up truck, and a police officer was almost tased by another. If there is outrage at improper police methods and they feel they need to blame someone it is typically the person following orders not the ones making the decisions without acknowledging the most reliable research.

Sometimes if the police do commit blatant crimes they can't expect leniency when it is against a corporation with cameras everywhere either, which happened again this month.

Walmart has also been mentioned in the presidential race because one of their former board members is running for president, and she's promising to stand up for the workers despite her ties to Walmart and enormous donations that she's collecting from them. Presumably we're supposed to believe her since she says with conviction that they're not getting special treatment for these donations, which implies we should believe they're wasting all that money as part of a bad business decision. When Hillary Clinton isn't promising to stand up to her campaign contributors she often seems to be saying she's proud to represent them; but if she gets the nomination it is unlikely that either her or the Republican nominee will do anything to chance their practices or even mention them.

Other problems include more complaints that their suppliers in china are abusing workers, that they're abandoning more small stores and some local communities are just beginning to realize how dependent they've become of a corporation that isn't accountable to local governments, and that they might be using their marketing might to influence advertisers. They found another abandoned body that was decaying for over two months and a truck crashed into one of their entrances.

One of their suppliers also tried to increase profits by putting wood pulp in their Parmesan cheese to cut costs; this also led to listeria problems again.

One of the state inspectors gave them positive reviews in 2012 then after leaving work for the state he went to work for the corporation he previously reviewed which was using wood pulp despite his review.

If government isn't the solution it's the problem as Ronald Reagan used to say, it appears as if the reason for that is because the officials that work for the government are more concerned with getting jobs with the companies they regulate.

Perhaps we should hand even more control to these corporations as many conservatives suggest. Or perhaps we already are, since we keep electing people that don't want a trustworthy government.

Even with this corruption and ineptitude or perhaps because of it their profits are still dropping.

And shoplifters are urinating in their stores.

On two separate occasions.

Both in the same state.

Strange things happen at Wal-Mart!





In 2006 Wake Up Wal-Mart did a study, "Is Wal-Mart Safe?" based on incidents in 2004, (PDF) about crime at Wal-Mart which showed that it increased when Wal-Marts opened up and that crime was higher at Wal-Mart than at other retailers. Since then Wal-Mart 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 Wal-Mart’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 Wal-Mart policies have been contributing to higher crime in a previous blog, Wal-Mart 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 Wal-Mart and how they impact society, Key Studies on Big-Box Retail & Independent Business. To the best of my knowledge Wal-Mart 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. For regular updates about events at Walmart through the month see Walmart Watch on twitter or check the Wal-Mart Wall; they have helped compile some of this information. The following are a list of incidents that occurred in February 2016. According to the "Is Wal-Mart Safe?" the average store in their sampling had 250 incidents per year, indicating that these are only a fraction of the crime reports at Wal-Mart, 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 Wal-Mart.


Police arrest suspect after reported Pa. Wal-Mart theft, stolen cruiser 02/01/2016

Hurricane WV Police investigating Walmart shoplifting 02/01/2016

Robbers strike at Anthem Ariz. Wal-Mart 02/01/2016

Electrical fire prompts evacuation of Va. Walmart 02/01/2016

Wal-Mart blasts Puerto Rico tax ahead of trial 02/01/2016

Rexburg Idaho woman creates petition asking local Walmart to close on Sundays 02/02/2016

Oneida NY police: Man shoots self in foot while shopping in Wal-Mart toy aisle 02/02/2016

Truck driver arrested after 500 pounds of pot found in semi at Fishers Ind. Walmart 02/02/2016

Westfield Mass. Walmart loss prevention officer to pay restitution for stealing from Walmart 02/02/2016

Police search for man accused of stealing from multiple Stillwater Okla. Walmart stores 02/02/2016

Mississippi Walmart bomb threat solved 02/02/2016

Police search for suspects in Okla. Walmart drive-by shooting 02/03/2016

OKLAHOMA CITY —People in two cars exchanged gunfire in a Walmart parking lot Tuesday night, according to Oklahoma City police.

The shooting happened shortly before 10 p.m. at the Walmart in the 7800 block of N.W. Expressway.

One vehicle is described as a white Ford Mustang with a black convertible top. The other vehicle is believed to be a silver sedan hatchback.

No injuries have been reported, but police are checking local hospitals for possible victims. Complete article


Michigan couple charged after Silly String fight inside NY Walmart gets messy 02/03/2016

Shoplifting suspect pulls large knife on Walmart security, Orlando Fla. police say 02/03/2016

Police looking for man accused of stealing merchandise from Pa. Walmart 02/03/2016

Columbus Mississippi Police: Child behind Wal-Mart bomb threat 02/03/2016

1 shot at gas station in front of Morrow Ga. Walmart 02/03/2016

MORROW, Ga. — Police said they have two men in custody after a gas station shooting in Clayton County Wednesday afternoon.

Morrow police told Channel 2’s Tom Jones that surveillance cameras at the Murphy USA gas station at 6065 Jonesboro Road in Morrow recorded two groups of men involved in a shootout.

“The video actually shows the shooting itself,” said Morrow police Capt. James Callaway.

The shooting left the gas station parking lot littered with spent bullets and one man wounded.

Police quickly caught two suspects at a home nearby. Complete article


Crooks take $11K in iPhones from Powhatan Va. Walmart 02/03/2016

Shoplifting suspect joked with Ill. Walmart security before trying to steal DVDs, report indicates 02/03/2016

MPD seeking help in identifying Tx. Walmart theft suspects 02/03/2016

Police Search For Tenn. Walmart Theft Suspect 02/03/2016

Police blotter: Butte woman arrested after alleged theft at Montana Walmart 02/03/2016

10-week-old baby found dead at Amarillo Tx. Walmart ruled as homicide; woman arrested 02/03/2016

2 men shot in Ind. Wal-Mart parking lot 02/03/2016

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Two people were injured after a shooting in the parking lot of a southeast side Indianapolis Wal-Mart.

IMPD says two men were shot in the parking lot of Wal-Mart in the 3800 block of South Keystone Avenue.

One of the men ran to an ambulance parked at the nearby Dairy Queen. He was taken to Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Hospital in critical condition. Complete article


Developers sue city of Edmond Okla. over defeated Walmart proposal 02/04/2016

2 guards shot, with a pellet gun, 4 teens in custody after theft attempt at Eagle River Wal-Mart 02/0/2016

Two security guards at the Eagle River Wal-Mart were injured Wednesday evening when four teenage boys trying to steal from the store opened fire on them with a pellet gun, police said.

Dispatchers were initially informed of shots fired at an employee at the store on Eagle River Road shortly before 8:45 p.m. Wednesday, according to a Thursday statement from Anchorage Police Department spokeswoman Jennifer Castro.

“It was reported to police that multiple juveniles who were trying to shoplift from the store were contacted by two loss-prevention security guards who attempted to detain them,” Castro wrote. “During the altercation, one employee was shot at with a BB gun and was struck near the eye. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was treated for his injury and was released. The second security guard had also been struck by a BB pellet and was treated at the scene for his injury.” Complete article


'Shoulder surfing' husband gets prison in Pa. Walmart check scam targeting hundreds 02/04/2016

Plus-size vlogger told by Canada Walmart employee she can’t try on clothes because she will ‘stretch’ them 02/04/2016

Rincon Ga. Police: Fake cash used at Walmart 02/04/2016

Police: 2 boys behind bomb threat at Mt. Juliet Tenn. Walmart 02/04/2016

Kitchenware brands sold at Ikea, Walmart, other stores slammed by China labor watchdog 02/04/2016

HONG KONG — Ever wondered what went into making your frying pan? A nonprofit group suggests troubling origins for some popular kitchenware in a new report that accuses suppliers of labor abuses in China.

An investigation uncovered “illegal and unfair working conditions” at five Chinese factories that produce pots and pans for companies including Walmart, Kohl’s, Carrefour, Macy’s, Ikea, Cuisinart and Tupperware, according to the report by China Labor Watch.

The New York-based watchdog claims factory workers were forced to sign blank labor contracts that didn’t specify wages, length of employment and other hiring terms. Some employees said they never received overtime pay, were fined if they refused to work past their assigned shifts and were exposed to serious safety hazards.

The factories also allegedly failed to properly train workers, prevent safety hazards or provide sufficient protective equipment. In some cases, employees were even coached and forced to lie to auditors in order to pass inspections, the report said. Complete article


When Walmart left: Store closures shock rural America 02/05/2016

We traveled to four small towns in southwest Missouri — the largest pop. 2,400 — and talked to mayors around the country When Walmart announced in mid-January that it would shutter 269 stores around the world, the phone started ringing at Norm's Grocery.

Management at the store in Seligman, Missouri (population 850), had stopped reordering most goods a few weeks earlier and shelves had begun to empty. After a year of competing with the new Walmart that opened on Highway 37 — the only other place in town stocking a reasonable range of groceries — Norm's customer base had eroded.

Word got out to the locals: At the end of the month, after 42 years in business, Norm's would close for good.

Then Walmart executives in nearby Bentonville made the decision that nobody in Seligman quite understands.

"All day that phone just kept ringing with people ... 'Don't close, don't close,'" Norm's Grocery manager Garren Hixson said. "So we made our decision to stay open."

The 154 U.S. stores affected by Walmart's announcement were spread across the country, with closures from Oakland, California, to Falls River, Massachusetts. But by including all 102 locations classified as Walmart Express — a fairly new, small-store concept — the company's latest move predominantly affects rural America. Pitched by Walmart as the perfect size for both urban and rural communities, all but a handful of Express stores were in municipalities with fewer than 5,000 people. Complete article

What happens to a tiny town when Walmart disappears? 02/05/2016

D.C. Activist upset at retail giant "Walmart" for going back on promise to build 02/08/2016

Cities in Arkansas Scrambling to Fill Vacant Walmart Locations 02/08/2016

'Bleeding,' 'burning,' or 'sinking,' Fairfield Alabama without Walmart is a city in deep fiscal crisis 02/25/2016


Police: Man exposed himself to children inside Springdale Arkansas Walmart 02/05/2016

Man with $400 in pocket arrested after allegedly taking DVD from Buffalo Ridge Fla. Wal-Mart 02/05/2016

Police searching for man who shoplifted, displayed knife at ND Wal-Mart Thursday 02/05/2016

Deputies: Suspect sought in Fla. Walmart flat-screen TV theft 02/05/2016

Police: Man steals sweater, returns wearing it to steal beer, shows gun at Fla. Wal-Mart 02/05/2016

Official: Man shot in groin, drives to Walmart parking lot in west Charlotte NC 02/06/2016

Police looking to ID West Melbourne Fla. Wal-Mart thief 02/06/2016

Fire breaks out at Ill. Walmart store in Olympia Fields 02/06/2016

Man Tries to Steal 31 Items from Ga. Walmart 02/06/2016

Woman says man exposed himself in Canton Mich. Walmart 02/04/2016

18-year-old arrested on theft charge at Wal-Mart at Buffalo Ridge Fla. 02/08/2016

Conroe Tx. police officer shoots BB gun-wielding suspected shoplifter at Walmart 02/0/2016

CONROE, TX (KTRK) -- Conroe police say an officer shot a shoplifting suspect out of fear that he might fire what the officer thought was a real gun.

That gun turned out to shoot only BBs, or airsoft pellets, according to a police spokesperson. Sgt. Dorcy McGinnis says the officer "in fear of the life" of employees and customers shot the suspect.

Police have now identified him as Christopher Fillmore, 36. He was shot in the shoulder, according to investigators, and will survive.

Jenetta Welch's car was hit by errant police gunfire. She was inside the store at the time, working. "Just wrong place, wrong time. It's pretty big. It's Montgomery. It's pretty crazy," she said. Complete article


ND Walmart cashier arrested for theft Sunday 02/08/2016

Walmart In Elk Grove Ca. Robbed At Gunpoint 02/09/2016

2 SC Walmarts are Beaufort County’s top spots for crime 02/09/2016

Beaufort County’s two Walmarts were the top spot for crime reports in 2014

Local law enforcement was sent to Walmart once a day on average

Police concerned about call volume with plans for three new stores

A man bolts for the door carrying a leaf blower. A woman nabs $140 in canned crab meat and shoves it in her purse. A customer threatens to shoot an employee.

It’s just a typical week at Walmart — Beaufort County’s top spot for reported crime.

In 2014, more crime was reported at the Walmart in the city of Beaufort than any other single address in Beaufort County. Not far behind, the Walmart on Hilton Head Island ranked as the county address with the second-most crime reports that year.

An analysis by The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette of every non-traffic crime report in Beaufort County across all police agencies in 2014 revealed:

▪ The Beaufort Walmart Supercenter at 350 Robert Smalls Parkway posted 206 total crime reports. Most of them — 132 cases — were for shoplifting and other property crimes. But there were also 15 assaults and domestic violence reports and five cases of public drunkenness. The store accounted for more than 8 percent of all non-traffic crimes reported by Beaufort police.

▪ The Hilton Head Walmart Supercenter at 25 Pembroke Drive posted 162 crime reports. Again, many of the cases — 80 — were shoplifting and other property crimes. But reports included 22 cases of fraud, forgery and theft involving employees along with four assaults. The store accounted for 4 percent of all non-traffic crimes reported on Hilton Head.

▪ A both stores, a handful of violent incidents were also reported, including one attempted murder and three armed robberies in 2014. Complete article

A month of crime at Beaufort County’s SC Walmarts 02/09/2016


Fla. Walmart shoplifter dies after being detained by employees 02/09/2016

LAKELAND, Fla. -- A 64-year-old man who fled from a Walmart after shoplifting DVD movies, died after being detained by store employees, Lakeland Police Department reported Tuesday.

On Sunday February 7, Kenneth E. Wisham, of Lakeland, ran from employees from the Walmart store at 5800 North Road 98 after they discovered him attempting to steal a shopping cart filled with DVDs. Wisham reportedly fell to the ground, allowing employees to catch him.

As Wisham was on the ground he experienced a medical emergency and stopped breathing. Employees contacted EMS and a first responding officer from LPD began life-saving measures, including the use of an Automated External Defibrillator. Wisham was then taken to Lakeland Regional Hospital in critical condition where he later died. Complete article

Update on detained Walmart shoplifter's death 02/10/2016 Initial headline for this was "Detained Walmart shoplifter's death ruled homicide," before the update declaring it undetermined.

Death of shoplifting suspect chased by Fla. Walmart workers ruled homicide 02/10/2016 ..... The Lakeland Police Department says its Violent Crimes Unit will investigate Wisham’s death as a homicide because Wisham died during the commission of a crime.

Walmart suspended the employees involved and released the following statement on Wednesday:

“Our condolences go out to the family. We are working with police as part of an ongoing investigation and performing a review of our own. All associates involved in this incident have been suspended pending the investigation as we continue to learn all of the details.”


Would-be shoplifter at Buffalo Ridge Fla. Wal-Mart tracked down by license plate number 02/09/2016

Lawsuit filed against Belair Rd. Ga. Walmart 02/09/2016

Man charged with indecent exposure after allegedly flashing an 11-year-old at NC Walmart 02/09/2016

Gunman Fires Shots In Tx. Walmart, Shoppers Duck For Cover 02/10/2016

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – It was a scary scene overnight for shoppers at the Walmart Super Center in the 7400 block of Samuel Boulevard. Customers were ducking and running for cover after a would-be robber started shooting inside the store.

The shooting happened just before 10 p.m. Tuesday and the store is open and back to business. But security could regularly be seen monitoring the parking lot.

The scene wasn’t as calm last night at the 24-hour store, when shoppers and workers said they heard gunshots. Witness Shantel Mims said there was no mistaking the startling sound of gunfire. “You don’t hear gunshots at Walmart. It wasn’t no BB gun. It wasn’t no balloon.”

According to police, the would-be robber went into the Super Center and tried to hold up a cashier. The suspect reportedly fired three shots into the ground and then, while heading out the front door, fired his gun a few more times. ..... ... The sheriff’s officer was actually working at the store in an off-duty capacity. Complete article

Dallas Tx. Police Officer Credits Experience to Stopping Armed Robber 02/11/2016


4 charged with shoplifting from Secaucus NJ Walmart in 24-hour span: police 02/10/2016

Body found in Northern California Wal-Mart parking lot may have been there for months 02/10/2016

MARINA — Investigators say the body of a young woman was left in a Northern California parking lot for three months before it was noticed.

KSBW-TV reports (http://bit.ly/1Pkd2BG) that 22-year-old Lauren Jessie Moss was found dead inside her car in a Wal-Mart store in Salinas on Feb. 3.

She was last seen alive in Seaside on Nov. 13; the same day she left a rehab center.

Salinas police officers said Moss' death was likely a suicide.

Police say Moss's car had dark-tinted windows and a sunshade over the dashboard making it hard to spot anyone inside. Wal-Mart's security cameras only went back to December, but footage showed the car in the same parking spot at that time. Complete article


Walmart donation used to fund life-saving equipment for Dodge Co. deputies 02/10/2016

A donation from Walmart will help keep deputies in Dodge County safe.

Walmart gave the Dodge County Sheriff's Office $2,500 to help fund ballistic helmets for deputies.

"Keeping my deputies safe is my number one priority, just as when we raised money last year to outfit them all with ballistic vests. These are pieces of equipment that will not be used every day, but when my men and women need them, I want them to have the protection available to them just as the Neenah Police Department has done for its officers" said Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt.

In 2015, a Neenah police officer's life was saved when a bullet struck his ballistic helmet and ricocheted off.

The cost of a helmet is about $400. Complete article

Madison County Sheriff’s Office receives donation from Walmart for K-9 06/19/2014


Suspect shot and killed in Hilo Walmart parking lot 02/10/2016

By JOHN BURNETT Hawaii Tribune-Herald

Police are investigating an officer-involved fatal shooting Tuesday night in Hilo, the second within a week.

The shooting occurred at about 10:40 p.m. in the Walmart parking lot.

Police say a traffic stop was made on a Toyota minivan known to be operated by a wanted fugitive they say is armed and dangerous. The woman driver and male front-seat passenger were commanded to get out of the van.

The man, while getting out of the van, shot at officers with a handgun, police say. Four officers fired their weapons, fatally injuring the man.

Other media sources report the dead man is 29-year-old Scottie Yanagawa, wanted by police for questioning in a Jan. 31 shooting at Honolii and for furlough escape from Hale Nani Correctional Facility on Nov. 19. Complete article


Cops looking for crooks passing fake $100 bills at Pa. Walmarts in three counties 02/10/2016

Police chief hopes life-size cutouts in Alaska Wal-Mart make thieves think twice about shoplifting 02/10/2016

FAIRBANKS—In a novel attempt to deter shoplifters, Fairbanks police have outfitted each entrance at the Fairbanks Wal-Mart store with a life-sized cardboard cutout of an actual FPD officer.

The project was spearheaded by Chief Randall Aragon, who read about similar efforts by other police forces and decided he wanted to try it.

“Our purpose is, when you walk by, it gets your attention,” Aragon said after helping install the cutouts Tuesday morning. “To control and prevent crime you have to be creative sometimes.”

The three cutouts — two of Officer Phil James and one of Aragon himself — were a big hit, according to Aragon.

“The greeters were beaming, because now they have a partner there,” Aragon said, laughing. Complete article


Ohio Walmart wanted poster features dead man 02/11/2016

CPD: Man urinates in Wal-Mart as he puts trout in pants 02/1/2016

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — A Clarksville man was arrested Wednesday after he urinated in Wal-Mart while trying to put a package of trout in his trousers and then told a police officer that he wasn't concerned because his crimes were only "misdemeanors," according to an arrest warrant.

Clarksville Police were called to the store at 2315 Madison St., at 1:33 p.m. Wednesday, the warrant stated.

A worker told an officer that the suspect, David Wylie, was seen urinating on the sales floor near the alcohol while trying to put a package of trout in his pants and he then attempted to leave the store without paying, the warrant stated.

The officer wrote that Wylie told him he indeed urinated on the floor but "was not concerned because it was a misdemeanor." Complete article


State Police searching for Walmart theft suspect in Braxton County, WV 02/12/2016

Woman charged with $4K in bogus Iowa Wal-Mart transactions 02/12/2016

Woman arrested after allegedly attempting to steal cell phone at Wal-Mart at Buffalo Ridge Fla. 02/12/2016

Stolen debit card used at Ariz. Walmart 02/12/2016

Woman in custody after unleashing Mace in Topsy Lane Nevada Walmart 02/13/2016 At least seven people suffered from exposure to Mace at the Topsy Lane Walmart around lunchtime on Saturday.

Lancaster man accused of hitting woman multiple times in SC Walmart parking lot 02/14/2016

Man reportedly struck by vehicle in Pa. Walmart parking lot 02/15/2016

Gunfire hits eight Walmart trucks on highway near Tulsa: Sheriff: Two teens arrested in incident 02/16/2016

2 men sentenced for attacking woman in an Arnold Missouri Walmart parking lot in early 2015 02/15/2016

Police: Man urinated in Murfreesboro Tenn. Walmart after stealing video games 02/17/2016

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN) – A man accused of stealing from a Rutherford County Walmart was arrested Saturday after allegedly urinating in the store.

It happened at the Walmart on Memorial Boulevard in Murfreesboro.

According to the arrest report, John Garvin and an unnamed female were caught trying to steal nearly $500 worth of video games.

After the loss prevention officer took them to an office to wait for police to arrive, Garvin reportedly started urinating inside the office. Complete article


Police: Brothers collect Wisc. Walmart receipts from trash, attempt fraudulent returns 02/16/2016

Police seek Alaska Wal-Mart theft suspect who threatened employee with scissors 02/16/2016

Police looking for Hurricane WV Walmart theft suspect 02/16/2016

Police investigating 2 incidents at Pa. Walmart 02/16/2016

PD: 2 arrested for possession of heroin at Walmart in Brooklyn Conn. 02/16/2016

Walmart Pulls Its North American Account From MediaVest 02/16/2016

The hits keep on coming: MediaVest has lost Walmart, one of its largest North American accounts. In the last six months, the Publicis Groupe network has lost lead North American media duties on its two other major clients: Coca-Cola and Procter & Gamble.

In 2014, the Bentonville, Ark., retailer spent $907 million in U.S. measured media, according to Kantar Media. For the first nine months of 2015, Walmart invested $401.5 million in media.

MediaVest was fired late last week, sources said. It could not immediately be determined if the account is going into review or moving elsewhere. Complete article


Police seek Wal-Mart shoplifter in Virginia Beach 02/16/2016

Woman arrested on suspicion of embezzling from Ukiah Ca. Wal-Mart 02/17/2016

Woman arrested with syringe in stolen car at Wal-Mart at Buffalo Ridge Fla. 02/17/2016

Walmart evacuated in Fayetteville Arkansas; bomb squad robot on the scene 02/17/2016

Insight: Lost in translation - Wal-Mart stumbles hard in Brazil 02/17/2016

IRS fraud scheme targets Long Island NY seniors; Walmart asked for help 02/17/2016

Two hurt in Mich. Walmart fire 02/17/2016

Cow Escapes Farm Goes to Walmart in Plover Wisc. 02/17/2016

Hillary Clinton’s Wal-Mart ties breed mistrust among liberals, boost Bernie Sanders 02/17/2016

Hillary Clinton’s had to defend her deep ties to Wal-Mart for years, but the history of campaign donations and her service on the Arkansas-based corporate giant’s board are playing into Sen. Bernard Sanders‘ hands this year.

Unlike many other liberals, Mrs. Clinton and her husband have refused to publicly brutalize Wal-Mart over the company’s pay scale and anti-union policies, leaving her open to attacks from Mr. Sanders and his allies, who say it’s proof she can’t be trusted to carry the economic warfare message Democrats need this year.

Alice Walton, the daughter of Sam Walton, the founder of the chain of big box stores, gave Mrs. Clinton’s Democratic National Committee Victory Fund $353,000 in December, a contribution just made public last month. Before that she contributed $25,000 to the Ready for Hillary political action committee.

Mrs. Clinton gave critics a new target last week when her campaign treasurer traveled to Mexico to host a campaign fundraiser with some of Walmart’s top brass. Complete article

How Wal-Mart Explains the Difference Between Clinton and Sanders 02/26/2016


Attempted Murder Suspect Arrested After Fight With Officer in Iowa Wal-Mart 02/17/2016

Doing the Wal-Mart dance in Jackson County Mississippi 02/17/2016

Charges: Man spots robber at restaurant days after his money is stolen in Utah Wal-Mart parking lot 02/17/2016

Police: Ga. Walmart stalker 'just wanted to hug children' 02/16/2016

Walmart's Q4 income down 7.9% as sales fall, lowers outlook 02/18/2016

Walmart (WMT) said Thursday its fourth quarter earnings fell 7.9% due to lower sales and higher operating expenses.

The world's largest retailer also lowered its estimate for sales growth in fiscal year 2017, which began in February. It's now expected "to be relatively flat," compared to the previous estimate of 3% to 4% growth. "This change reflects the impact from recently announced store closures globally, as well as the continued strengthening of the U.S. dollar," it said.

Walmart, headquartered in Bentonville, Ark., reported net income of $4.57 billion for the three month period ended Jan. 31, compared to $4.97 billion in the year-ago period.

Per-share earnings, after adjusting for some items, were $1.49 vs. $1.61 in the same quarter last year. That beat analyst estimates of $1.44, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Shares were down 4% in pre-market trading to $63.50. Complete article

Fortune: Here's Why Shares of Walmart Are Tanking Today 02/18/2016

Walmart's Stock Might Be Massively Undervalued 02/28/2016


Repeat offender arrested with knife after allegedly taking items from Fla. Wal-Mart at Buffalo Ridge 02/18/2016 A loss prevention officer, posing as a customer, saw Jamie Dawn Leonard of Lake Panasoffkee conceal items in her purse and on her body and leave the store without paying for them, according to an arrest report from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.

Wal-Mart withdraws petition for super center in Lamar Mississippi 02/18/2016

Walmart: Pa. Female manager's firing wasn't sexist 02/18/2016 A female manager wasn't fired from a Chambersburg Walmart store because of sexism, but was canned because she was selling Pampered Chef products on the side, officials of the retail giant contend.

Norfolk off-duty police officer accused of exposing himself in Portsmouth Va. Walmart 02/18/2016

Portsmouth, Va. – A Norfolk police officer is under investigation after allegations that he exposed himself to a woman inside of a Walmart in Portsmouth.

Officials say on February 15, 2016 just before 1:55 p.m., police received a call about an incident at the Walmart on 1098 Frederick Boulevard.

Once on the scene, officers spoke to the victim who told police someone exposed himself to her. The officer has not been charged yet. Complete article


Central Point man gets 3 years for punching Oregon Walmart staff 02/18/2016

Meridian mom charged with trying to use Taser on police at Idaho Wal-Mart 02/18/2016

Police had been searching for Danielle Krystine Davis for several hours after her ex-boyfriend reported she threatened him with a stun gun and walked off with their 4-year-old daughter Wednesday evening, Meridian Deputy Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea said.

Three detectives located Davis and her daughter about 11:30 p.m. at the Wal-Mart on Fairview Avenue in Meridian and approached them, Basterrechea said.

"We had information that she was possibly suicidal ... and had a knife with her," he said, "so one of the detectives grabbed the child to protect her."

Davis tried to use the stun gun on that detective and then attempted to stun the other two as they tried to take her into custody, Basterrechea said. No one was injured, he said, and Davis was taken to the Ada County Jail. The child was taken to her grandmother. Complete article


2 charged with using fake credit cards at Bradenton Fla. Wal-Mart 02/1/2016

Iowa Walmart stun gun in purse case goes to Iowa Supreme Court 02/19/2016

Forbes: Walmart Needs To Reconnect With Customers And Employees 02/19/2016

Woman arrested for shoplifting, drugs at Utah Wal-Mart in Provo 02/20/2016

NY Wal-Mart cashier charged with grand larceny 02/20/2016

Does Mississippi Walmart self-checkout have shoplifting problem? 02/21/2016

NATCHEZ — Something unusual may be going on at the self-checkout line in Walmart, officials say.

Natchez city officials have noticed a high number of shoplifting arrests related to the self-checkout line, and are questioning whether some of the allegations could be mistakes.

Since October 2015, Natchez police have been called to the Walmart store on Seargent S. Prentiss Drive at least 100 times to respond to reports of shoplifting.

Most of the reports describe items hidden in jackets or pockets, or simply people who ran out of the store with TVs in their arms.

At least 20 of these incidents, however, took place at the self-checkout line.

The narrative reports on those instances almost always describe a failure to scan an item; many suspects told police the items were left unscanned by accident.

They were all arrested. Complete article


Police: Vt. Walmart thief makes off with razor blades 02/21/2016

Customers, employees evacuated from Va. Walmart in Colonial Heights due to bomb threat 02/21/2016

Bat-Wielding Thief Robs Springfield Missouri WalMart 02/22/2016

Sneaky! A thief dressed as a Va. Walmart worker walks out with 4 HDTVs 02/22/2016

Police: Woman charged after assaulting 3-year-old at Ga. Wal-Mart 02/22/2016

Pair arrested at Fla. Wal-Mart after allegedly stealing items, carrying drug paraphernalia 02/22/2016

Man arrested for narcotics after trying to steal from Tx. Walmart 02/22/2016

Police Investigate Self-inflicted Stabbing at Southwest Side Cedar Rapids Iowa Walmart 02/22/2016

2 charged with stealing from Ill. Walmart 02/22/2016

Police investigate shooting in parking lot of Ga. Walmart 02/23/2016

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA (CBS46) - DeKalb County police say one person was shot in the parking lot of a Walmart late Monday night.

The shooting happened around 11:45 p.m. at the location on the 5900 block of Memorial Drive in Stone Mountain.

Not many details are known about the shooting, including the extent of injuries sustained by the victim.

It is also unclear if police have any suspects in custody. Complete article


Three charged after undercover drug buy at NY Wal-Mart 02/23/2016

Man gets 30 years for September robbery, car-jacking at Ind. Walmart 02/23/2016

Savoy woman to prison for theft from Ill. Walmart 02/23/2016

Truck crashes into Kingsport Tenn. Walmart, 4 injured 02/23/2016

KINGSPORT, TN (WJHL) – Kingsport Police Department officials confirmed a truck drove through the entrance of a local grocery store on West Stone Drive.

According to KPD spokesman Tom Patton, a full-size Dodge truck driven by 79 year-old Robert L. Waterman went through the entrance of Walmart, 2500 W. Stone Drive, around 6:45 p.m.

Waterman told police he mistakenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brake as he was backing up from a parking space.

Police say a family of four including a father, mother, and two small children (18 months and 6 months old) were hit by the truck as they were exiting the store. All members of the family were transported to Holston Valley Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. Complete article


Woman arrested after using two kids to help steal at Va. Walmart, police say 02/23/2016

Police: Two men rob Boynton Fla. Wal-Mart, run over employee with pickup 02/23/2016

BOYNTON BEACH — Two men who lifted computers from a Wal-Mart ran an employee over with a Dodge pickup while trying to get away with the stolen goods, Boynton Beach police report.

Larry Willis, 56, and Karl Washington, 50, were arrested early Monday at the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Federal Highway near 36th Avenue.

Police found the Wal-Mart employee, 31, injured in the parking lot just before 3 a.m. The Dodge pickup had backed over her while she tried to document the license plate number, police say.

The crash injured the woman’s right knee. Complete article


Thomasville NC police release photo of women sought in Walmart fire investigation 02/24/2016

Walmart yanks hoverboards from its site 02/24/2016

Wal-Mart sued over Parmesan cheese with wood-pulp filler 02/24/2016

Tests showed Wal-Mart’s Great Value brand contained as much as 10 percent cellulose, a wood based anti-clumping agent.

Wal-Mart Stores was accused in a lawsuit of defrauding customers by selling Parmesan cheese touted as pure that contained wood pulp as filler.

The world’s largest retailer stocked its New York stores’ shelves with containers labeled “100% Grated Parmesan Cheese,” but tests showed Wal-Mart’s Great Value brand contained as much as 10 percent cellulose, a wood based anti-clumping agent, according to a complaint filed Tuesday in Manhattan federal court.

Customer Marc Moschetta said in the lawsuit he wouldn’t have bought the cheese if he’d been aware that “the 100% representation was false and mis-characterized the amount and percentage of Parmesan cheese in the container.” Complete article

FDA: Listeria found at cheese plant with mislabeled products 02/29/2016 PITTSBURGH -- If you love cheese, this news was pretty unappetizing -- some Parmesan cheese actually contains wood pulp.

Then last Friday, an executive at a Pennsylvania food company pleaded guilty to selling cheese that had no relation to what was on the label. CBS News decided to investigate. .....

What's more: the company found Listeria, a potentially deadly pathogen, in its production area ten times. But Castle continued to produce and sell its cheese to stores like Target and Walmart without testing it.

That might be troubling enough, but records from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture -- which inspected Castle around the same time as the FDA -- tell a very different story.

In June 2012, state inspector David Trotter wrote: "the plant continues to be in excellent condition. I appreciate the plant management and the quality work they do."

Trotter's glowing reviews from the state continued until August of 2013, when he left the Department of Agriculture for a new job -- as the Director of Quality Control at Castle Cheese.


JFRD: Fla. Walmart at River City Marketplace evacuated due to gas leak 02/25/2016

Small sinkhole opens in parking lot at Estero Fla. Wal-Mart 02/25/2016

Skowhegan Me. Wal-Mart pharmacist arrested for allegedly stealing drugs 02/25/2016

Wisc. Walmart employee accused of ‘glitching’ 02/25/2016 Meaning she recognized a computer glitch presumably created by incompetence and took advantage of it.

Home Office Ark. Walmart Employees Laid Off 02/25/2016

2 sought in theft of $800 worth of electronics from Ephrata Pa. Wal-Mart 02/25/2016

South Carolina man sentenced for defrauding Walmart stores in Carolinas, Georgia, Florida 02/26/2016

Suspect arrested in Colorado Springs Wal-mart holdups 02/26/2016

Woman accused of trying to walk out of Fla. Wal-Mart with items concealed in purse 02/26/2016

RCSD: Men used $7K in counterfeit money at SC Walmart 02/26/2016

Blotter: Shoplifters target Barboursville WV Wal-Mart 02/27/2016

Woman accused of snatching purse outside Burlington NC Walmart arrested 02/27/2016

Teens accused of lifting BB guns from Las Vegas Nevada Wal-Mart 02/27/2016

Wall of Justice: 3 sought for using stolen credit cards for purchases at Ohio Walmart 02/27/2016

East Ocala: Sam's Club out; liquor sales in at Wal-MartEast Ocala: Sam's Club out; liquor sales in at Fla. Wal-Mart 02/28/2016

Walmart in West Haven Conn. Reopens After Threat 02/29/2016

Hickory man charged with habitual larceny after police say suspect stole NC Wal-Mart goods 02/29/2016

Meth making materials found by police near NY Wal-Mart 02/29/2016

Oklahoma City Police Dept.: Man tackles woman, runs off with purse outside metro Walmart 02/29/2016

Empty paper towel dispenser in men's restroom leads to $990,000 lawsuit against Oregon Walmart 02/29/2016

Colorado Walmart earning notoriety with police 02/29/2016

The country’s largest retailer also tends to be one of the largest generators of police calls in the Denver Metro Area, according to a 9Wants to Know investigation.

KUSA - The data suggests many local law enforcement agencies are responding to local Walmart stores at a rate of two-to-four times a day. As you might expect, the vast majority of calls are for shoplifting, yet the sheer volume of calls has some city leaders wondering if the retail giant can do more to lessen its impact on law enforcement resources.

Walmart insists it’s working with communities to help solve the problem, but a spokesperson also told 9Wants to Know “Unfortunately criminal activity is a challenge all retailers deal with.”

Among our findings:

Only the Denver Rescue Mission and the downtown Greyhound Bus Terminal experienced more calls for service in the city than the Walmart in Denver’s Stapleton neighborhood in 2015.

In tiny Lakeside, the local Walmart was responsible for close to 40 percent of all calls for service in 2015.

In Westminster, the top three locations for calls for service in 2015 were all three of the city’s Walmart stores. ....

In recent years, she said, shoplifters have occasionally used her front yard as an escape route from police. Complete article


Man wanted after money box stolen from Girl Scout selling cookies at Fla. Wal-Mart 02/29/2016

Man Caught Masturbating in Conn. Walmart Parking Lot 02/29/2016


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