Saturday, October 1, 2016

Wal-Mart Crime report September 2016



Walmart is responding to their high crime problem with efforts to privatize security and even take over activities that were previously handled by the courts. This should raise major questions from civil liberty groups. At least one store in Joplin Missouri is offering suspects a way to avoid being arrested if they have a clean record and agree to take an on line course costing $400 up front or $500 in installments.

This totally by passes the courts and doesn’t seem to involve consulting with lawyers. It may put the entire judicial process in the hands of private for profit corporations that aren’t concerned about the rights of the suspects or negative externalities that might impact the community when this does little or nothing to reduce crime problems.

This is a disaster waiting to happen!

There should be little or no doubt that this will not do much if anything to reduce crime since Walmart and their political allies have been ignoring the root causes of their high crime problem for years. They refuse to consider their cost cutting policies invite higher crime, or that their union busting tactics and bad customer service is angering a lot of people and contributing to their crime problems.

Even one of the articles about their crime problem opens by saying repeatedly that they’re committed to low prices, which isn’t always true. The media that finally reports on this is still skewering their reports for Walmart’s benefit acting as an advertiser for them when ever possible.

Reports have also come out this month about the enormous amounts of money Walmart and the Walton family are spending on political activity including donations to Hillary Clinton’s campaign, and efforts to support Charter Schools and privatize the education system. Coincidence or not E-mails have also shown that the State Department under Hillary Clinton has aided Walmart abroad.

The government routinely acts in favor of Walmart when there are disputes; and we’re supposed to believe that if Hillary Clinton gets elected she’ll fight to raise the minimum wage after catering to her donors for so long. This includes when excessive force leads to criminal charges, which blame the people at the lowest level without considering if Walmart policies might have contributed to this or not. These are not isolated incidents; they happen all the time, including one manslaughter trial currently going through courts and a lawsuit and someone who claims he was fired for defending himself.

The police are also routinely used to pupress protests at Walmart at taxpayer expense including workers standing up for their rights and civil rights activists protesting when police or security workers kill civilians.

When Walmart has their way the government often seems to act as a subsidiary.



There were at least nine shooting incidents at Walmart this month including at least four deaths, one of which was a suicide, and another that was an attempted suicide both in front of police. There were also several other gun related injuries and at least two other deaths that weren’t gun related.

A couple other gun related incidents include one where someone yelling racial slurs threatened to kill people but didn’t fire; and someone that simply feels it’s necessary to carry a weapon where ever he goes even if it leads to panic on a regular basis and the police routinely investigate him; however he’s in an open carry state and they don’t kill him, whether it’s because he’s white or not.

Several assaults including someone attacked using a walker and another threatened with a shovel, and another were a women was knocked off a moving vehicle. There are always attacks on employees usually after they try to intervene in shoplifting incidents; but there are also plenty of disgruntled customers that take it out on the workers including one this month who threatened to stab a worker after being refused a return.

Florida seems to get more than their share of dead bodies being found on the premises and this month they found another that had been decomposing for at least a week before being discovered.

I don’t think that is semi-routine anyplace else but Walmart.

They also had at least two arsons this month including one by a teen and another by an employee who according to her lawyer might have been “hearing voices.” There are no reports of this incident being a result of a disgruntled employee, although the media might not report that if it was true.

Walmart had an enormous amount of complaints after creating a 9/11 display out of Coke products. There was little emphasis about who made this decision; but apparently it was designed by Coke not Walmart as part of their in store promotional efforts. The public is mostly unaware that this is part of routine slotting fees that are negotiated with large corporations among each other, and presumably most of them are subject to non-disclosure agreements.

Enough information about these slotting fees have been disclosed to demonstrate that the “free market,” as they refer to this economic system has been eliminated years if not decades ago. These slotting fees are part of an effort to divide up the market and they’re rarely ever reported to the majority of the public, except in a few books like “No Logo” by Naomi Klein or “Big-Box Swindle” by Stacy Mitchell.

Another Walmart study came out showing that Walmart in white neighborhoods have fewer complaints, although these studies are rarely reported widely by traditional media. And they’ve also been caught selling expired products in the Tampa area; this is routine, although they’re not likely to be reported unless customers speak out, which they did in this case. Another story about customers being bitten by beg bugs came out as well. And they have their share of customers that are as abusive as Walmart including one that wrapped hid daughters hair around the cart and dragged her around the store as punishment.

Walmart has the patent for self driving carts now; what could go wrong with that? If nothing goes wrong it will be a rare exception. They’re also being sued for bribing the Mexican government again, although this will almost certainly drag out for years longer than it already has. Wouldn’t it be nice if our taxpayer money was spent on roads and bridges along with schools instead of lawsuits against corporations with political connections?

Once again the shoplifters arrested by the police was another police officer who even did his stealing in uniform and drove off in a patrol car. They don’t get prosecuted for killing minorities often but when they steal from Walmart they get arrested.

You would think that if some one killed another person and wanted to dispose of the body they wouldn’t put it in a trunk and drive to a location famous for having more security cameras than anyone else then walk in to the store so the cameras can get a close look at the murderer when they check them days later after the body was found.

But apparently some murderers aren’t quite that smart.

You would think that if a customer asked Walmart employees to exchange money for sex that it wouldn’t be a good time to go on a shoplifting spree afterwards since he might have drawn attention to himself.

But apparently some shoplifters aren’t quite that smart.

Threatening to inject women with HIV as part of an escape attempt probably isn't that smart either; but it's unique and it worked .... temporarily.

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. The following are a list of incidents that occurred in September 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.



Man charged with stalking after Iowa Walmart shovel, other incidents 09/01/2016

DES MOINES, Iowa —A Des Moines man remains in the Polk County Jail Thursday following numerous violations of a no-contact order.

Richard Cosper, 47, of Des Moines, was charged with stalking and six counts of violation of a no contact or protective order.

Numerous police reports detail incidents involving Cosper and a woman victim.

One report involves an incident at a metro Walmart store. On Aug. 4, police officers were called to the Walmart store at 5101 Southeast 14th Street.

Cosper approached the woman and a group of workers with a raised shovel. Complete article


Walmart cutting about 7,000 back-office store jobs 09/01/2016

Third Suspect Arrested in Connection With June Armed Robbery at Milford Conn. Wal-Mart 09/01/2016

St. Louis Missouri employee accused of fraudulently issuing $150,000 worth of pre-paid Walmart cards 09/01/2016

Metro Council at odds over West End Louisville, Ky. Walmart delay 09/01/2016

Man, 63, found dead inside the trunk of his car in San Antonio Tx. Walmart parking lot on Southwest Side 09/02/2016

SAN ANTONIO — A 63-year-old man was found dead inside the trunk of his vehicle Thursday night or Friday morning on the Southwest Side, according to police.

Police officers responded to the scene at about 9:30 p.m. Thursday at a Walmart in the 8500 block of Interstate 35 South.

SAPD Sgt. Jesse Salame said a man’s probation officer reported him missing. A preliminary police report stated the man did not check into curfew for the night, which was “out of character” for the man.

Investigators were sent to the location for a potential missing person, finding the man’s vehicle in the parking lot. The victim was wearing an ankle monitor, Salame said, which may have been tracked to that location. Complete article

SAPD identifies 63-year-old man found dead in his trunk in Walmart parking lot 09/06/2016

SAPD: Man 'brutally' murdered 63-year-old who was found in trunk at Walmart 09/13/2016


Walmart website selling Kanye West's Nike Air Yeezy 2 sneakers for $6,499 09/02/2016

There is officially a pair of sneakers selling for $6,499 on Walmart's website. The shoes on offer are a couple of Kanye West's famed Nike Air Yeezy 2s in red, and they are going for the price of a pretty solid used car.

Walmart itself did not set the price, as the size 8.5 footwear was posted on the site by a reseller called Sole-Unlimited LLC.

The shoes are listed in the sale description as "Nike Mens Air Yeezy 2 SP 'Red October' Red 508214-660," and identified as "Brand New in Original Box. Comes with all accessories associated with the release. Original Receipt will be included." And, according to the site, there's "[o]nly one left!" Complete article


Shotgun-wielding man accused of yelling racial slur, threatening to kill people near Alabama Wal-Mart 09/02/2016

A man yelled a racial slur and threatened to kill people while wielding a shotgun in the Wal-Mart parking lot on Monday night, Ozark police say.

Christopher Joseph Lucier, 28, of Ozark, was arrested and charged with making a terrorist threat, obstructing government operations and public intoxication. He is being held in the Dale County Jail on $12,000 bond.

According to the arrest report, officers were called to the Wal-Mart store at around 10:40 to the report of a possible drunk driver trying to push his vehicle in the parking lot.

On the way to the scene, officers learned the suspect, later identified as Lucier, was threatening to kill people with a shotgun. Complete article


San Jose Ca. Police Search Wal-Mart After Reported Bomb Threat 09/02/2016

Man rips off Dalton Ga. Walmart with sleight of hand 09/02/2016

Beech Grove Ind. Wal-Mart works to change reputation following brawl 09/02/2016

Loaded gun magazine found in NJ Walmart...again 09/02/2016

GARFIELD, New Jersey (WABC) -- For the second day in a row, someone stashed a loaded gun magazine inside a Walmart in New Jersey.

Published reports say security personnel found the first magazine on Thursday hidden in the merchandise of the store in Garfield.

When they found a second one Friday, security evacuated the building. Complete article


Coweta police arrest men accused of scamming $50,000 from Oklahoma Walmart stores 09/03/2016

Burleson Tx. Wal-Mart Receives Bomb Threat 09/05/2016

Berkshire Central Labor Council opposes new Pittsfield Vt. Walmart Supercenter 09/03/2016

Walmart Stores In White Neighborhoods Are 'Better': Study Claims 09/05/2016

GREENSBORO, NC -- Are some Walmarts "better” than others?

We're talking good customer service. Clean stores. Stocked shelves. Short check-out times. According to a new study, yes.

Andy Reich, a Columbia University Assistant Professor of Sociology says his study has revealed not all Walmarts are created equal.

To simplify his findings, he says, White and rich neighborhoods have better Walmarts than Black and poor neighborhoods.

“People used words like ‘unorganized’, ‘nasty’ and ‘worst’ to describe stores in communities of color much more than they used those words to describe Walmarts in Whiter communities,” Reich said in a Skype interview. Complete article


Thief steals food, electronics from Ephrata Pa. Walmart 09/04/2016

Suspected Wal-Mart Theft Ring Busted With Arrest Of 2 Women In Vacaville Ca. 09/04/2016

Bomb threat evacuates Bayonne NJ Walmart, police say 09/04/2016

Police investigate after person found dead in Apopka Fla. Walmart parking lot 09/05/2016

Woman arrested for leaving child in car while visiting bank inside Owasso Okla. Walmart 09/06/2016

Man with walker attacked in St. Petersburg Fla. Walmart parking lot 09/06/2016

St. Petersburg police are asking for the public's help to locate a robber who beat his victim with his own walker.

At 1:04 p.m. Friday, the victim, a 66-year-old man, was walking toward the Walmart, 201 34th St. N., in the parking lot, using a walker. A younger man approached him and asked the time of day.

The attacker then put the victim in a choke hold, threw him to the ground and began punching him. He also used the walker in the attack. Complete article


Theft of microphone at NC Walmart thwarted 09/06/2016

Man robs Dalton Ga. Walmart through hole in a fence 09/06/2016

Deputies nab fugitive wanted on charges of attempted murder inside of Walmart in Princeton WV 09/06/2016

Walmart stores around Tampa Bay Fla. found selling expired products, including baby food 09/06/2016

When Deneen Wyman walked into a Walmart store on Sunday, she didn’t expect to buy expired baby formula not once, but twice. When she went to return the expired formula the first time, she was sold another expired one that had been outdated since May.

It wasn’t an isolated incident. Wyman, a handful of other local shoppers and Tampa Bay Times reporters found dozens of expired merchandise on the shelves at Walmart stores in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties recently. The Times found more than three Walmart stores in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties had expired goods on the shelves on Tuesday, from three-week-old sour cream to Gerber brand butternut squash and potato baby food that expired in February. Reporters also found expired prenatal and children’s vitamins, children’s allergy and fever medication and baby formula. ....

“So I went back to the store and spoke to customer service. They gave me a refund and apologized, so I changed out the milk,” she said.

When she got home a second time, she noticed that the second one she’d purchased was also expired. This time the expiration date was May 1.

“I usually shop at Publix downtown but they don’t sell this brand,” Wyman said. “But I know I would have never had this problem at any Publix location. What really bothers me is that it’s happening in a community that’s already poverty stricken and this community depends on this store.” Complete article


Couple accused of changing bar codes, lowering their own costs at Fla. Walmart 09/06/2016

Workforce agencies using Wal-Mart grant money for retail job assistance 09/06/2016

A northwest Indiana workforce agency is getting a portion of a $3.6 million grant from Wal-Mart's charitable foundation to back education and employment services for retail workers, with extra support from a Cook County group.

In March, the foundation tapped the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, which provides free services to job seekers and businesses, to select 10 workforce development boards across the country seeking funding for innovative retail job training services. The Cook County organization plans to study the results of the recipients' programs to share with roughly 550 workforce development boards nationwide.

The Chicago agency isn't getting any of the newly announced money, but more than $1 million of the foundation's total $10.9 million grant will fund local programs, including a new center providing retail-focused training at 218 S. Wabash Ave. that recently opened and aims to serve at least 600 people this year, said Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership spokeswoman Dunni Cosey Gay. Complete article


Walmart's Walton family backing Clinton 09/07/2016

The heirs of late Walmart founder Sam Walton are backing Hillary Clinton for president.

Collectively, the leading members of Arkansas' Walton family have given about $714,000 to the candidate and the Democratic Party during the current election cycle, federal records show.

The donations are an example of the longstanding ties between the Walton and Clinton families. It is an awkward situation for the candidate, a former Walmart board member, since most of her allies in organized labor and the broader liberal movement detest the Waltons, mainly because of the company's anti-union stance. Complete article


Emails detail State Dept. effort under Clinton to aid Walmart 09/07/2016

Newly released emails from Hillary Clinton's tenure as secretary of state detail how the State Department assisted Walmart's efforts in 2011 to buy a South African retail chain called Massmart despite the opposition of local unions.

The emails show that U.S. diplomats talked up Walmart to skeptical South African government officials, even playing some hardball on the company's behalf.

Other emails show that Clinton retained close ties to the Arkansas-based retailer, where she was a board member from 1986 through 1992. Clinton has more recently sought to distance herself from the company, which many liberal groups despise for its anti-union stance. Complete article


Man shot in shoulder in Skibo Walmart parking lot 09/07/2016

An altercation in the parking lot of a Fayetteville Walmart on Tuesday ended with a man being shot in the shoulder.

The incident happened outside the store at 1550 Skibo Road about 5:45 p.m., a Fayetteville police report said.

The victim was identified in the report as Zake Nathi Pratt, 23, of Fayetteville.

He was driven in a private vehicle to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and dropped off, Lt. Todd Joyce said. Complete article


Death investigation underway in Fla. Walmart parking lot on Lem Turner Road 09/08/2016

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—Police are conducting a death investigation near the Walmart on Lem Turner Road Wednesday night.

Rescue personnel were called out to a cardiac arrest around 8 p.m. to a car in the parking lot there, says Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department dispatch.

However, members of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office have since said they believe the body to have been there for at least a week and that it may be related to a possible missing person's case. Complete article


Man shoots self in front of officer at Thomaston Me. Wal-Mart 09/08/2016

THOMASTON, Maine — A man was critically injured Wednesday night after he shot himself in front of a sheriff’s deputy while in the parking lot of a Wal-Mart.

Knox County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Tim Carroll said that the man had called the Knox County Regional Communications Center shortly after 10 p.m. Wednesday to report that he was considering suicide.

Sgt. Patrick Polky responded and as he got out of his cruiser to approach the man, the man shot himself in the chest, Carroll said. Complete article


Florida Walmart’s Coke display remembering 9/11 sparks outrage 09/08/2016

PANAMA CITY, Fla. -- People are furious after pictures of a Florida Walmart's 9/11-themed Coke display began to circulate on Twitter Tuesday afternoon.

Twitter user Shawn Richard Tweeted a picture of the display, which presented Coke Zero in place of Ground Zero and spurred thousands of angry retweets about the beverage company's marketing ploy.

“We stopped and stared at it like, oh my god,” Richard said, according to BuzzFeed News. “Nobody seemed to be noticing it, it wasn’t very crowded, and I got the feeling that it had just been assembled. So we took some pics and went on our way.”

Orlando Weekly reports the display has been taken down and that Walmart initially approved the design.

In less than two days, the post has more than 2,492 retweets and 4,114 likes. Complete article

Coca-Cola takes down Walmart display in shape of 9/11 Twin Towers 09/08/2016

.... A Coca-Cola spokeswoman told me that the display had been created by the company's local bottling partner.

She offered me this statement on behalf of Coca-Cola Bottling Company: "This display was meant to honor local firefighters and to support their organization's upcoming event. We sincerely apologize that anyone was offended or misunderstood its intent, and we have replaced the display."


Man accused of firing shots near IUP's campus arrested at Pa. Walmart 09/08/2016

Florida sex offender lists Walmart as home, told it is legal 09/08/2016

Report reveals that Walmart heirs have donated $1.75M to super PACs in New York supporting charter schools 09/08/2016

ALBANY — Two of the heirs to the Walmart fortune have donated $1.75 million since July to super PACs operating in New York, records show.

Alice Walton donated a combined $1.25 million to three of the independent expenditure committees, all of which support charter schools and other education reforms. Her brother, Jim Walton, gave $500,000 to one. They both live primarily in Bentonville, Ark.

The donations, all of which were made in July, are receiving heavy criticism from an anti-Walmart group.

“The Walton family, which created Walmart, is responsible for destroying communities across the country,” said Audrey Sasson, director for Walmart-Free NYC. “We can't let that happen here. That's why we're calling on the Waltons to take their dangerous dollars out of New York politics immediately.” Complete article


Man accused of arson in March at Southridge WV Walmart pleads guilty to charges 09/09/2016

Dalton Ga. Police make arrest for Walmart Theft 09/09/2016

Ill. Walmart shoplifter gets probation 09/09/2016

Portsmouth Va. NAACP president, 2 other civil rights leaders charged with trespassing at Wal-Mart 09/09/2016

Portsmouth NAACP President James P. Boyd and the co-founders of the Coalition for Black Americans were cited last month for trespassing at the Wal-Mart where a former Portsmouth police officer shot and killed an unarmed black man.

The charges were filed the day after a peaceful “sit-in” outside the building prompted the store to close early. Company officials claim they verbally told the men that day they were banned from the store.

Following a short hearing Friday, Boyd, Lou Gibbs and Christopher “Rocky” Hines declined to comment on the charges. And Don Scott, an attorney representing Boyd and Gibbs, would say only that his clients were innocent and “they are going to be proven so.” Complete article


Cibolo Tx. police: Man stole TVs from Walmart 3 different times 09/09/2016

Broward Fla. deputy accused of shoplifting at WalMart 7 times, once while in uniform, records show 09/09/2016

A Broward sheriff's deputy finds himself suspended without pay and facing a felony charge after being accused of shoplifting everyday household items from two WalMarts in Coral Springs, according to records obtained Friday by the Sun Sentinel.

Surveillance video shows Deputy Dean Korenic, 46, shoplifting on seven occasions, investigators say. He was in uniform one of the times and drove away with his stolen goods in a marked patrol car three other times, records show.

A 14-year veteran of the agency, Korenic was arrested Tuesday and spent a night in jail before posting $3,500 bond on a felony charge of scheme to defraud/obtain property under $20,000, records show.

"In review of the video ... the theft was apparent and intentional," an affidavit said. "The thefts were committed both in and out of BSO uniform." Sheriff's officials would not provide the videos to the Sun Sentinel Friday.

Korenic, of Margate, was suspended without pay Tuesday. He makes $72,735. Korenic was initially suspended with pay when he was first advised of the investigation on June 6.

On the deputy's alleged shopping list: Cool Water cologne, Jergens lotion, papertowels, disposable razors, detergent, syrup, toothpaste, bar soap, a canister of Maxwell House coffee and a carton of eggs. Complete article

BSO detention deputy accused in Wal-Mart shoplifting spree 12/01/2016

Miramar officer guilty of stealing liquor from theft suspects 12/13/2016


Police Look for Three Who Robbed SC Walmart 09/0/2016

Edmond Okla. Walmart evacuated because of bomb threat 09/09/2016

Suspects tied to $300K credit-card scheme at Mich. Walmart, Sam's Club, FBI says 09/10/2016

Man accused of trying to take pictures up young girl's skirt at Huntsville Alabama Wal-Mart 09/10/2016

Report: Man who coerced child into Mich. Wal-Mart bathroom sentenced 09/11/2016

1 dead, 2 injured in shootings, assault outside Shawnee Kansas Walmart store 09/11/2016

SHAWNEE, Kan. —One person was killed and two people were injured in an assault and shooting outside a Shawnee Walmart store Sunday afternoon. The shooting happened about 1:30 p.m. at the Walmart store near Shawnee Mission Parkway and Maurer Road.

Police said a woman left the store and was putting her infant child in a car seat when two men approached her and one struck her on the head.

Investigators said a man got out of his car to help the woman and was shot multiple times. They said another man saw what happened, got out of his car and shot one of the attackers dead.

Police said the second man ran off and was captured by a police K-9. Complete article

Police seek 2nd man in attack on woman in Walmart parking lot 09/12/2016


Digby Canada Walmart evacuated after a bomb threat 09/11/2016

Raleigh Tenn. Wal-Mart evacuated after bomb threat made, police give all clear 09/11/2016

Residents protest prison labor outside Fla. Walmart 09/12/2016

On the 45th anniversary of New York’s Attica Correctional Facility riots, a group of Gainesville residents protested inmate mistreatment.

Waving signs outside of the Wal-Mart on Waldo Road, about 35 people attended a rally held Friday evening by the Gainesville chapter of the Industrial Workers of the World.

Protesters denounced prison slavery, which they described as the corporate use of prisoner labor with little or no compensation. They also spoke out about poor living conditions in prisons.

The rally, held in conjunction with prison strikes across the country, took place at Wal-Mart because protesters said the company benefits from prison labor. Complete article


Charges filed after children left alone in vehicles in Napanoch, town of Ulster NY 09/12/2016

Berlin Vt. Police look for Walmart shoplifter 09/12/2016

Walmart patents self-driving shopping carts 09/12/2016

(CNN) - Hail a cart at Walmart? You may be able to do that in the near future.

The U.S. government granted the retail giant a patent last week that indicates the company is planning to roll out a system that allows shopping carts to drive themselves.

According to the patent request, the carts will be equipped with detachable motors that have sensors and video cameras. Complete article


Shawnee Kansas Walmart tops businesses police respond to in recent years Walmart to add private security 09/12/2016

SHAWNEE, Kan. - Walmart told 41 Action News it plans to add private security to patrol the parking lot of the Walmart Supercenter where a shooting occurred Sunday by end of the month.

According to a company spokesperson, it's been in the works for months.

Sunday's shooting was a gruesome sight that Wendy Macrorie said she's never seen. Complete article


Police: Men point BB gun at SD Walmart shopper 09/12/2016

Two men were arrested after one of them pointed a BB gun at a shopper in the Wal-Mart parking lot over the weekend, according to Rapid City police.

Officers arrested 31-year-old Corey Moran, of Rapid City, and 30-year-old Ethan Moran, of Eagle Butte, on multiple charges after police were called to the Wal-Mart at 100 Stumer Road at 8:40 p.m. Sunday for a weapons call.

An unidentified victim told police they were loading groceries into their vehicle when a passenger in a nearby Dodge Charger pointed a handgun at them. The victim reportedly got into their own vehicle and drove away before contacting police. Complete article


Ariz. Walmart customer bitten by bed bugs while riding store scooter 09/13/2016

PHOENIX -- It was hard for one Arizona man to not let the bed bugs bite.

Jose Avalos de Leon and his wife, Lupita Cruz, were at a Phoenix-area Walmart this weekend when he was bitten by bed bugs while riding one of the store's motorized scooters.

Cruz described the incident in a Facebook post on Sunday, calling Walmart "filthy" and asking that the story is shared and circulated throughout social media. Complete article


Police: Man tries to steal $100 in bacon, chicken breasts from Austin Tx. Wal-Mart 09/13/2016

Man arrested for using cellphone to take picture underneath a woman's skirt at Tuscon Ariz. Walmart in April 09/13/2016

1 Person Shot Outside Brooklyn Center Minn. Wal-Mart; Store Reopening Wednesday 09/13/2016

One person was shot outside a Wal-Mart store in Brooklyn Center Tuesday, according to investigators.

The store is located at 1200 Shingle Creek Drive and Bass Lake Road.

It happened about 4:45 p.m. when families stopped by to shop on their way home from work, including Victor Moffette. He said chaos erupted as he walked out of the store, between two groups.

"He started shooting at him, the other broke and ran down the street, he started chasing him, right behind shooting at him," Moffette said. Complete article

Brooklyn Park, Minneapolis Men Charged in Connection to Gang-Related Wal-Mart Shooting 09/20/2016


Deadly Shooting At Sunrise Fla. Walmart 09/14/2016

FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – An investigation is underway after a deadly shooting in a Walmart parking lot in Sunrise.

An employee of the store, at 3306 N University Drive, was going to his car around 3:30 a.m. when an armed male rushed up to him and tried to rob him.

The two exchanged words, according to police, then the Walmart employee pulled his own gun and fatally shot his would-be attacker.

Police said employee, who was not hurt, has a concealed weapons permit and the shooting may fall under the legal definition of self defense. Complete article


DeLand Fla. Wal-Mart employee recognizes shoplifter as wanted bank robber, police say 09/14/2016

Lexington man accused of exposing himself in NC Walmart parking lot 09/14/2016

Burglar stole 52 old car batteries from Pa. Walmart 09/14/2016

Man attempts to steal merchandise, threatens Reno Nevada Walmart loss prevention employees with knife 09/14/2016

Police: Man took photo beneath woman's skirt as she shopped at Nebraska Walmart with child 09/14/2016

Man wanted in connection to theft in Macon Ga. Wal-Mart parking lot 09/14/2016

Police hope to ID suspect in indecent exposure incident at Wisc. Walmart 09/14/2016

Police: Man walks out of Tenn. Walmart with 50-inch TV without paying 09/15/2016

Suspect charged with robbing Walmart in Murphy NC 09/15/2016

Man passed $700 in counterfeit bills at Oxford Ohio Walmart, police say 09/15/2016

Disgruntled Customer accused of pulling knife on Okla. Wal-Mart employee 09/15/2016

An Oklahoma man is facing felony weapon charges in connection with an incident Wednesday afternoon at a Wal-Mart store in Joplin.

Capt. Bob Higginbotham, with the Joplin Police Department, said Jason R. Mitchell, 33, of Owasso, Oklahoma, apparently became upset when he was refused a return of merchandise in the store at 1501 S. Range Line Road.

Mitchell picked up a fishing reel and threw it against a window on his way out of the store and then pulled out a knife and threatened a female employee who followed him into the parking lot making a video recording of his actions, store employees told police. The employee was not harmed in the incident, according to Higginbotham. Complete article


Former Alabama Walmart store front becomes trash site nightmare 09/15/2016

Man Commits Suicide in an Aberdeen Md. Walmart Parking Lot 09/16/2016

ABERDEEN, Md. (WJZ)– A man committed suicide in a Walmart parking lot in Aberdeen Thursday, according to the Aberdeen Police Department.

Around 7:50 p.m., officers responded to the Walmart located at 645 South Philadelphia Boulevard, for reports of a suicidal man in a vehicle. Officers located the 29-year-old man in the car and received information he was armed.

Police brought in negotiators to the scene, but were not able to communicate with the man.

Members of the Harford County Municipal SWAT Team approached the vehicle and discovered the man suffered head trauma. Officers provided medical attention immediately but determined the man was already dead. Complete article


Details emerge in shooting by police at Kearny NJ Walmart 09/16/2016

A man suspected of shoplifting at the Walmart in Kearny today was shot by a police officer when he drove his vehicle at the officer while trying to flee, the town's mayor said this afternoon.

The accused shoplifter, Ramon Martinez, 43, of Newark, and a second man, Diego C. Dosreis, age 28, also of Newark, have been charged, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said.

Martinez is charged with eluding, receiving stolen property and shoplifting. Dosreis has been charged with receiving stolen property, Prosecutor's Office spokesman Ray Worrall said. Complete article

Man shot by Kearny police in Walmart parking lot was driving stolen vehicle, court doc states 09/19/2016


CRIME ROUNDUP: Teen knocked out, robbed near NY Walmart 09/16/2016

Police say two assailants knocked out a teenager near a Walmart in Cortland County and then robbed him of his cellphone.

Cortland County Sheriff's deputies responded at 9:46 p.m. Thursday for the reported robbery outside the Walmart store on Bennie Road in Cortlandville. The 19-year-old victim told deputies he was walking to work at the store when he was struck in the head by two people, police said.

According to police, the victim lost consciousness and awoke to feel one of the assailants trying to take his cellphone from his back pocket. Deputies received a description of the suspects from the victim, and both suspects were taken into custody in the area a short time later. Complete article


Video shows what happened during Walmart shoplifting death in Lakeland Fla. 09/17/2016

LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) – In July, three Lakeland Walmart employees were charged with manslaughter after they detained a man they suspected of shoplifting.

Kenneth Wisham, 64, died less than 12 hours after fighting with the employees. New audio recordings from the Lakeland Police Department reveal what the employees told detectives about the incident not long after it happened.

Former Walmart customer service manager Crucelis Nunez described Wisham as a “homeless looking, white male.” She told police he set off the store alarm as he tried to leave and that another employee tried to stop Wisham from leaving the store. Complete article


Woman lands back behind bars after violating probation in Fla. Wal-Mart theft 09/17/2016

In open-carry America, a trip to Ga. Walmart requires an AR-15 09/1/2016

WINDER, Ga. — All Jim Cooley wants to do is buy some soda.

“You want to come to Walmart?” he asks his wife.

“No,” Maria says.

“Pretty please?” Jim asks.

“I’m not going to sit there and have the police called on you. I mean, I don’t want to see that crap,” Maria says, knowing what a trip to Walmart means. She knows her 51-year-old husband has two guns inside the house, and this afternoon it won’t be the 9mm, which he straps on with a round in the chamber when grabbing lunch at his favorite fast-food restaurant or visiting a friend’s auto shop. It’ll be the AR-15 semiautomatic rifle, which he brings when going somewhere he thinks is dangerous, like the Atlanta airport, where he’s taken it loaded with a 100-bullet drum, or Walmart, where he thinks crowds could pose an easy targets for terrorists. Complete article


Fla. Walmart thief hopeful for job...at Walmart 09/18/2016

Maine police hunt for woman missing from Walmart parking lot 09/18/2016

Body of Melbourne woman found behind Indian River County Fla. Wal-Mart 09/18/2016

North Myrtle Beach SC police seek woman accused of defrauding Wal-Mart 09/19/2016

Man shot, killed outside Walmart in Lake County Fla. 09/19/2016

FRUITLAND PARK, Fla. —A man was shot to death Monday in the parking lot of a Lake County Walmart, deputies said.

The shooting happened about 7:15 p.m. outside the Fruitland Park Walmart on Citrus Boulevard, the Lake County Sheriff's Office said.

The person, who has not been identified, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Deputies said the victim is a middle-aged man.

Investigators spent a significant amount of time searching through a red Cadillac in the parking lot and said they found drugs at the scene. Deputies said the shooting may be drug related. Complete article

Shooting victim at Wal-Mart identified as Lady Lake man 09/20/2016

Suspect arrested in fatal shooting of Lady Lake man at Wal-Mart 09/22/2016


Police: Man admitted to robbery outside of Ga. Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market 09/20/2016

Teen saves elderly man’s life at Ind. Walmart 09/20/2016

Father allegedly drags daughter through Texas Walmart by her hair — ‘Please stop... I promise I won't do it again' 09/20/2016

A Texas couple alerted local police to what authorities are now investigating as child endangerment after they witnessed a father allegedly abusing his daughter in public.

Erika and Robert Burch were at a Walmart in Cleveland, Texas when they spotted a young girl crying "please stop. I promise I won't do it again. Please stop!" while her father was allegedly dragging her by her hair, which was wrapped around the top of a shopping cart.

The Burchs called the police and then confronted the father, telling him to stop, to which he responded “I grew up just fine” and that the couple should mind their own business. Complete article


Police look for man who stole $1,000 worth of cosmetics from Okla. Walmart 09/20/2016

Luciano: Peoria Ill. police looking for man who offered cash for sex from Walmart workers 09/20/2016 plus additional bizarre reports from the past

What do you do when Walmart workers turn down your sex-for-cash offers?

You go on a quick shoplifting spree to drown your sorrows in bananas and beer.

At least, those were the moves by a would-be ladykiller at the Walmart Supercenter, 8915 N Allen Road in Peoria.

“We hear some crazy things,” says Leslee Wright, a corporate spokesperson for the retail giant. “But this is the first we’ve heard of something like this.” Complete article


1 arrested after Conway SC Walmart evacuated for bomb threat 09/20/2016

Virginia Beach has a problem with the way Wal-Mart stores are stashing goods for the holidays 09/19/2016

Nothing suspicious after HAZMAT called to Colorado Walmart parking lot 09/20/2016

Suspects wanted in Ca. Walmart burglary 09/20/2016

Protesters break into NC Walmart after shutting down part of I-85 09/20/2016

CHARLOTTE, NC - Protesters headed to the Walmart on N. Tryon in the University area after shutting down Interstate-85 at WT Harris Blvd. early Wednesday morning following the shooting death of 43-year-old Keith Lamont Scott.

Officers in riot gear blocked the entry to Walmart after it was broken into. Employees could be seen sweeping up shattered glass at the front entrance.

One employee told FOX 46 Charlotte some technology was stolen including, a flat screen television and iPads. Complete article


‘Con artists’ trick NM Walmart employee out of $2100 09/20/2016

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Police say two ‘con artists’ used an old school trick to scheme a Walmart cashier out of $2,100, and she didn’t even realize it.

“It’s impressive. I mean these guys are really good,” admitted Officer Simon Drobik of the Albuquerque Police Department.

It happened on September 1 at Walmart on Carlisle Blvd NE. Two men appear to be making simple transactions, but they definitely had some tricks up their sleeves.

“He’ll purchase a small item and have $100 bill and he’ll talk to the cashier and say, hey give me $80 change and a $10 and a $5. She’ll give that money back over, he’ll hold the money and say actually can you break this down in a different way,” said Officer Drobik. “He’ll ask for money back maybe four $5’s and two $10’s, and the numbers start getting so mixed up, that all of a sudden the cashier thinks that she’s breaking change but he’s actually scheming off the top every time there’s a transaction,” he continued. Complete article


Two charged with stealing diapers from NY Walmart 09/19/2016

Man charged with Wal-Mart armed robbery in Oakwood Ga. 09/21/2016

Hempfield Pa. man sues over Wal-Mart firing 09/21/2016

A Hempfield man said in court documents he was improperly fired as a maintenance employee at a Wal-Mart store because he legally restrained a suspected shoplifter.

In a lawsuit filed in Westmoreland County court, Paul Palmer said he utilized the “shopkeeper's privilege” when he detained a shoplifter in January at the Hempfield store where he worked. Palmer said store officials fired him a week later.

“The shopkeeper's privilege is a recognized doctrine in Pennsylvania whereby a shopkeeper is allowed to detain a suspected (shoplifter) on store property for a reasonable period of time so long as the shopkeeper has cause to believe that the person detained in fact committed or attempted to commit theft of store property,” according to the lawsuit. Complete article


Walmart building new training academy in Hawaii store 09/21/2016

Walmart is opening its first training academy in Hawaii inside a Central Oahu store, Pacific Business News has learned.

The Arkansas-based big-box giant recently filed a $406,265 building permit with the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting for a "Walmart Academy Special Project” at its Pearl City store at 1131 Kuala St.

The Hawaii training academy will join several others across the United States. The first academy opened inside a Walmart Supercenter in Texas. In a blog post on the company’s website, a Walmart academy manager describes the program as bringing together department managers from other stores for a few weeks of structured training by other staff members. Complete article


Walmart Is Being Sued for Allegedly Bribing the Mexican Government 09/22/2016

Walmart must face a class-action lawsuit accusing the world’s largest retailer of defrauding shareholders by concealing suspected bribery to help it expand faster in Mexico, a U.S. judge said.

In a decision on Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Susan Hickey in Fayetteville, Arkansas rejected Walmart’s contention that a Michigan pension fund had no standing to lead the case because it had not suffered losses on the retailer’s stock.

The decision means shareholders can sue Walmart WMT 0.11% and former chief executive Mike Duke as a group over the alleged cover-up of bribery at Walmart de Mexico. This could lead to a larger payout at lower cost than if individual lawsuits were required. Complete article


Troopers: Troy man caught with heroin in NY Wal-Mart bathroom 09/22/2016

Elderly man walking from Ind. Wal-Mart killed in hit-and-run 09/22/2016

Wisconsin sex offender pleads guilty to flashing 2 girls in Mich. Walmart 09/22/2016

Police: Drunk man gets caught stealing from Tx. Walmart, hits guard in the rib 09/22/2016

Pressure cooker left outside Dearborn Mich. Walmart causes bomb scare 09/2/2016

Lt. governor, Walmart executive speak at Michigan business summit in Flint Mich. 09/22/2016

Canyon Tx. Walmart reopened following bomb threat 09/22/2016

Woman finds explicit picture left on car outside Arkansas Wal-Mart 09/22/2016

2 sought in theft of thousands of dollars worth of video games from York County Va. Walmart 09/23/2016

Lawyer for man killed by cop in Wal-Mart to meet with Lynch 09/23/2016

Police: Tx. Wal-Mart worker tried to shoot photos under woman’s skirt 09/23/2016

FORT WORTH A 30-year-old Wal-Mart employee was arrested Thursday on accusations that he tried to take pictures up the skirt of a customer last month.

Emmauel Christopher Pesina was arrested on a warrant accusing him of invasive visual recording, a state jail felony.

A woman told officers she was at the Wal-Mart Supercenter at 7451 McCart Ave. on the morning of Aug. 5 when the incident occurred. Complete article


Environmental review conducted for McCandless Pa. Wal-Mart 09/23/2016

Two indicted on attempted murder charges in June Augusta Me. Wal-Mart parking lot shooting 09/23/2016

Boy on scooter does $1 million damage in Ca. Wal-Mart arson 09/23/2016

BARSTOW, Calif. (AP) — Police say a 12-year-old boy riding a push scooter set fire to the arts-and-crafts section of a Wal-Mart store in the Southern California desert, leading to losses of more than $1 million.

The store in Barstow remains closed for a third day Friday because of the damages.

Barstow police said in a statement that the boy, who was not with his parents, set the fire with a lighter on Wednesday afternoon. Wal-Mart employees tried to put it out with fire extinguishers but failed, and some had to be treated for smoke inhalation. Complete article


Wal-Mart takes its own approach to shoplifting 09/24/2016

JOPLIN, Mo. — Wal-Mart’s new approach to shoplifting is up and running in Joplin.

People who have a clean record but who are caught shoplifting are being offered a choice by Wal-Mart’s security staff: They can admit guilt and pay $400 to take an online “restorative education” course; or the police will be called.

Offenders unable to pay the money up front have the option of paying $500 for the course in installments.

If the offender fails to pay the fee or finish the online class, Wal-Mart forwards its record of the crime to the police, who have agreed to press charges based on that information.

Dubbed the “Restorative Justice Program,” the new plan replaces a program designed by the Joplin Police Department to reduce officer visits to big box stores. A spokesman for Wal-Mart said that “Restorative Justice” would also serve to reduce police calls. ....

The program is “100 percent offender funded,” according to materials also sent to Joplin police by a company called Corrective Education Company.

Wal-Mart and other retailers may be reimbursed for “collecting the data and processing all offenders through the proprietary CEC reporting process,” according to CEC, but they are not paid based on the number of offenders who go through the training. Complete article


June Colorado Walmart purse snatcher turns self in 09/24/2016

Walmart apologizes for failure to make "racist" cake for Ga. police officer 09/26/2016

MCDONOUGH, GA (CBS46) - A Walmart spokesperson has acknowledge and apologized for a mishap with several employees at a store in McDonough, where a request for a cake to honor a police officer's retirement was not honored.

The cake, according to a Facebook post from Taylor Wilkes, a friend of the officer's family, was to have a blue line/blue lives matter theme to honor the officer. The employees who were to make that cake apparently thought it was a racist message, and refused to make it. Complete article


PBSO: Man slapped mom in face at suburban Boca Fla. Wal-Mart 09/26/2016

Walmart and Others Are Being Asked to Stop Selling as Much Meat 09/26/2016

Wethersfield Principal Followed Children at Conn. Wal-Mart, Took Photos: Police 09/28/2016

Woman accused of pushing Missouri Wal-Mart employee after theft 09/26/2016

Woman falls from moving car at Fla. Wal-Mart; Port St. Lucie man arrested 09/27/2016

PORT ST. LUCIE — A Port St. Lucie man was arrested Monday after an altercation during which he drove through a Wal-Mart parking lot with a woman hanging from his car, according to Port St. Lucie Police.

David Alexander Squitieri, 27, of the 400 block of Southeast Thornhill Drive, was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, records show. He was being held Tuesday at the St. Lucie County Jail in lieu of a $15,000 bond.

The 48-year-old Port St. Lucie woman sustained a head injury, cuts and scrapes when she fell from the moving car about 4:15 p.m. in the parking lot of the store in the 1800 block of Southwest Gatlin Boulevard, according to a Port St. Lucie Police arrest affidavit. She was treated at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center in Fort Pierce. Complete article


Hayden Walmart put on lock down Idaho 09/27/2016

HAYDEN, Idaho - While looking for a man they believed was in the parking lot of the Hayden Walmart Tuesday afternoon, deputies asked people to stay inside the store.

Officials on scene told KHQ there was no public danger concern during the search for the man, but Walmart did lock the doors to ensure people stayed inside.

The Sheriff's Office says there was a man in the parking lot who was allegedly texting his family saying he wanted to do harm to them. Deputies say it was also reported that he may have had a weapon. Once the store was put on lockdown, deputies made contact with the man. He did not have any weapons, but he was taken to Kootenai Health for a protective custody hold. Complete article


Police: No bomb after threat made at Simpsonville SC Walmart 09/27/2016

Person of interest wanted after credit card crime at Wal-Mart in Gardnerville Nevada 09/27/2016

Greensboro NC police arrest two in Walmart armed robbery slashing at security guard with a knife 09/28/2016

Jupiter Fla. police: Man with full-face tattoos asleep in stolen truck at Wal-Mart 09/28/2016

Men take up to 6 years pleas in Oct. 2015 theft of rifle ammo at Mich. Walmart 09/28/2016

Mississippi Walmart shoplifting suspects | Gallery 09/28/2016

Police: Men arrested at Waterville Me. Wal-Mart linked to credit, gift card scheme 09/2/2016

Search for Stratford Conn. Walmart wallet theives 09/29/2016

Meridian Idaho police seeks man suspected of groping girl at a Walmart 09/29/2016

Clifton woman buys $1,000 in iTunes cards at Garfield NJ Walmart as part of deportation scam 09/29/2016

Guilty verdict for woman involved in deadly crash at Colorado Springs Walmart 09/29/2016

Police seek assistance identifying ND Wal-Mart thief 09/29/2016

Police nab Mass. Wal-Mart employee suspected of setting fires 09/2/2016

STURBRIDGE, Mass. —Police have captured an employee of a Massachusetts Wal-Mart they say set three fires inside the store, forcing the disposal of the store's food.

Sturbridge police announced Thursday that Maiya Cruz was caught in Auburn on Wednesday night.

Police say they identified the Southbridge woman through security video.

Firefighters who responded to the Sturbridge store on Tuesday for a report of a fire in the jewelry section determined that three fires had been set. They were all extinguished by employees and customers. No one was hurt. Complete article

Investigators look for cause of Walmart fire in Sturbridge Mass. 09/27/2016

Sturbridge Wal-Mart employee denies setting fires at store 09/30/2016 .... Members of Cruz’s family say she has mental health issues and her lawyer said she had been hearing voices.


Walmart, in parts of the metro, ranks high on number of police calls 09/29/2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Walmart is a retail giant that's committed to low prices. It's something one store director touted at a recent grand re-opening of the Walmart Supercenter on Highway 40 in Kansas City.

"We know that economically our dedication is to being a low price leader," Josh Williams, a Walmart store director said.

Walmart's in-house security, or loss prevention officers, help keep prices low by watching out for shoplifting. However, 41 Action News discovered that stores in the metro often rely on local police departments instead of private security to keep stores safe. Complete article


Walmart recalls tripod stools due to fall hazard 09/30/2016

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Walmart is recalling their Mahco Inc. tripod stools after finding that a plastic collar connecting the legs of the stool can break, creating a fall hazard to consumers.

The product has three steel legs and a camouflage polyester fabric seat. It was sold in stores and online from June 2016 through August 2016 for about $6. Complete article


Man shot after leaving Walmart in Orlando Fla. 09/30/2016

ORLANDO, Fla. - A man was shot early Friday shortly after leaving a Walmart in Orlando, deputies said.

The shooting was reported around 12:15 a.m. near the intersection of State Road 50 and Lake Berge Road, near Rouse Road.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office said someone opened fire, striking a 24-year-old man, who went into a nearby neighborhood seeking help. Complete article


Police arrest two men for dealing drugs outside Muncie Ind. Walmart 09/30/2016

Parolee pleads guilty to felony theft from Mich. Walmart 09/30/2016

Police arrest suspect in Phoenix Ariz. Walmart June fireworks fire 09/30/2016

Police searching for carjacker who threatened woman with HIV infection at Swatara Pa. WalMart 09/2/2016

SWATARA TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Police are searching for a man who allegedly carjacked a woman and threatened to infect her with HIV at a WalMart in Swatara Township Friday afternoon.

Police say 45-year-old Michael Ortiz had just attempted to steal from WalMart at 11:49 a.m. today when he got into a woman's car, threatened to inject her with "something that would give her HIV" and demanded to be driven away from the scene.

The two victims followed his orders, but not for long. While the car was stopped at a red light on Grayson Road, the passenger got out of the car and pointed a gun at him, demanding he get out of the car, police said. Complete article


Darlington SC City Police need help to identify suspects in Walmart thefts 09/30/2016


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