Saturday, June 1, 2019

Walmart Crime Report May 2019


The FBI created a massive panic at a Walmart when they decided to use Flash-Bang grenades to arrest a suspect they were investigating at a Walmart in Colorado last month. there was little or no explanation why. This created a false alarm about an active shooter. There have been no follow up articles since then, but emergency situations or active shooters are normally handled by local police so it's difficult to imagine why they thought this would be necessary.

In Maine someone spray painted graffiti on the wall of Walmart claiming that "my name is [redacted] my rights were violated yesterday by the US government to speak to an attorney,” just a few days before this. With behavior like the Flash-Bangs and other activities since the so-called "War on terror" began it's not unreasonable to assume that he might be telling the truth, even if most people don't think spray painting it on the side of Walmart is the best way to make his point.



However despite a couple false alarms this month it's been surprisingly slow for shootings with only four, which is less than they've had in a single month for quite a while, although this was typical about six or seven years ago. Since then they've been having a growing number of shootings almost every year and recently broke the record for most in one month last December with at least twenty; and broke another record having six consecutive months with at least eleven shootings each month ending in April.

The first of those shootings didn't even take place at Walmart, but it was very close the victim went there after being injured. None of these shootings were fatal but there were at least eight deaths for other causes, including three people killed in separate vehicle accidents, three bodies found in the parking lot, one person that set himself on fire, and a shoplifter that was arrested then later found dead in the jail cell. This doesn't count a toddler killed as a result of a recall of dressers sold at Walmart. There's little or no investigation into the number of bodies found in their parking lots, they're usually poor people without access to health care, drug addicts, or suicides; without a profit motive for people donating to campaigns, there's no reason to research it, especially if they find that solving problems like this might impact profits for wealthy people.

There were at least an additional eight gun related crimes at Walmart, mostly armed robberies, but they also include one theft of a gun from Walmart and another false alarm after a person bought a BB-gun at Walmart then loaded it in the restroom leading people to think it might be another shooter. This is semi-routine at Walmart famously leading someone to being shot by police, yet they don't even consider secure packaging or warnings to prevent future false alarms. Even if they do manage to get the gun show loop hole closed for real guns Walmart doesn't seem inclined to secure their own guns. Another one was stolen last December and used to kill two people a few days afterwards, which wasn't counted in their record of at least twenty shootings for the month.

A Tennessee policy of prosecuting people arrested for petty theft as felonies is being reviewed by the state Supreme Court. They claim part of the reason why they have a growing amount of shoplifting is the growing amount of opioid additions, which is probably part of the cause; however many other related causes involve store policies with the growth of big-box stores, economic inequality, poverty and many other factors. Many of these factors are indirectly caused by political decisions and policies of big businesses like Walmart including store design that makes it easy to walk out with entire carts loads of expensive merchandise, which has been going on for years if not decades.

There's been no study on this, that I know of, but it doesn't take a genius to figure out that when you see dozens if not hundreds of cases of people walking out with entire shopping carts every year, often doing two or three times before finally getting caught or getting their picture on TV while police are searching for them, and you see some stores that make you walk past the registers and service desk where people are watching, virtually guaranteeing this doesn't happen, that store design is a major factor.

Yet instead of addressing these problems and other factors they seek to increase punishment on petty theft, which is also depriving many people of the right to vote! the people making decisions about business practice also donate massive amounts of money to campaigns and lobby to get tough on crime when poor steal from rich, yet there's no accountability for rich stealing from the poor, usually in more sophisticated manners.

Not only is this blatant bribery but it's also epidemic entrapment.

It doesn't take much searching on the internet to fond out that Walmart is also profiting off of the labor of many people sent to prison, either for shoplifting or for reasons unrelated to them; several article report on how Walmart buys merchandise made with prison labor including Prison Labor Boosts Wal-Mart’s Profits Despite Pledge 09/19/2014; Drug rehab faces investigations into labor practices and Medicaid fraud 05/16/2019; Corporations and governments collude in prison slavery racket 02/07/2018; and On Sale Now: Prison Labor June 2018 One several occasion Walmart has denied involvement; however they routinely rely on contractors for these types of activities and get caught so often that it's clear that if they don't know about it, it's because they don't want to know about it. This is allowed because of an exception to the thirteenth amendment that legalizes slavery for people convicted of crimes.



The media and politicians rarely ever discuss this because one way or another they get their share of the loot either through ties to other corporations with interlocking board members, selling advertisements to them, campaign contribution from them or a variety of other financial ties. Most extensive reporting on this subject is in alternative media outlets, but occasionally mainstream media also reports on it, although they only report in locations that don't draw too much attention, which is a common propaganda tactic.

There are also towns all over the country reporting that they're spending a lot of their resources chasing crimes at Walmart, including Atlanta Georgia, which is cutting back on police services for other crimes as a result as they reported this month, a Virginia store also reporting similar problems this months, and Raytown Missouri which provided a massive tax incentive to lure Walmart to their town, so they could wipe out small businesses paying higher taxes, increase crime and then force them to cut back on police services and go into debt. There's little or no doubt that tax dollars are subsidizing Walmart crime problems.

Other studies cited by Stacy Mitchell show that Walmart increases poverty drives down wages, and contributes to other causes of their own crime problems, including union busting etc. These leaves their own employees desperate for funds often going on welfare, but there are a lot of stories of them getting fed up with unfair treatment and stealing from Walmart ranging petty theft, including a case a few years ago when police were called in to arrest a worker after an in depth investigation searching videos, over a package of oreo cookies, another one over a power drink that turned out to be a misunderstanding and several cases of much larger thefts, often to pay for basic needs, although some of them are for other reasons, including one example this month where an employee stole $14,000. Security was congratulated for finding this theft, but no one seemed to ask why they didn't find it when it was only a few hundred dollars, which is also semi-routine.

This also endangers police and civilians including one police officer, working security as a second job, who was grabbed in the groin in Arizona and he responded by beating the shoplifter after he was handcuffed, leading to his own arrest on excessive force. there's little or no discussion in many states about conflicts of interests hiring police officers to do off-duty security, yet it leads to many lawsuits, which often cost taxpayers thousands if not millions of dollars. One thing they might be inclined to give people charged with crimes a break on is apparently if they agree to serve in the military like someone charged with inciting a riot at Walmart a few years ago, enabling him to avoid prosecution, supposedly because the military training might rehabilitate him; however he was arrested again this year for another disturbance. This is mild compared to other examples, dating back to Vietnam where many veterans were going on shootings sprees, so they tightened up recruiting practices, until the Iraq war when they relaxed them again and they're going on shooting sprees again.

Bernie Sanders is crashing their annual meeting to demand fair treatment for workers which is long overdue, and virtually no other politician is talking nearly as much as they should about this. However there are many more factors that he might want to reform as well.

In addition to the three fatal crashes they had at least another dozen chases, crashes hit and runs, and at least a couple carjackings including one with a disabled man inside, who was later found safe along with the vehicle, and another false alarm where someone reported a theft with her child before eventually finding out she forgot she had moved it to a neighboring parking lot.

In addition to the person setting himself on fire and later dying there were over half a dozen more fires at Walmart, mostly arson a couple which may have been considered terrorist attempts, including one that was supposedly a "trial run." This is at least two or three times the typical number of fires they used to have about six years ago, but now it's typical, no longer even breaking records. One of the fires that wasn't arson was a multi-vehicle fire that started with a Lamborghini that caught fire while the owner was filling it with gas and it spread to a SUV causing a massive flame only prevented from an even bigger one because the pumps automatically shut down. One of the fires that was arson was to distract from a shoplifting, which never works, even if they get away initially but these incidents are becoming more common.



Walmart had at least five knife crimes including several shoplifters or robberies, and someone that attempted to commit suicide, which is also getting more common, yet no one is tracking it. there were also hundreds of other thefts, brawls, scams, attempted kidnappings, sexual assaults, bank robberies, and other crimes, including a person taking her car in for service having a $2,800 MacBook stolen from her, which Walmart initially refused to take responsibility for. However after the media reported on it they changed their mind. This isn't the exception similar incidents have happened repeatedly with the same reaction, we only hear about the cases where people speak out so there's no way of knowing how many incidents go unreported, where they don't take responsibility, so if you ever have a similar problem call the media and if they're unwilling to report on it keep making noise any way you can, short of property damage or assault, until you get enough attention to force them to take responsibility.

Walmart also recalled another chest of draws after a toddler was killed when it fell on him and a Starbucks French press. The recall of the chest of draws is semi-routine, as are the child deaths or injuries, but they keep making the same mistake switching to another supplier that seems to do the same thing. You would think they would develop standards, which reasonable governments do; but even if a government like ours doesn't hold corporations accountable, when these lawsuits and deaths pile up they add to their expenses, which proves that even though it may not always be profitable they can't be trusted to do the right thing, indicating we should regulate them like other reasonable countries!

A Walmart employee in Florida tested positive for Hepatitis A in January, but it didn't get reported until this month, which is common practice for many problems like this since mandatory reporting was eliminated years if not decades ago after plenty of lobbying, which they don't call bribery, so now they often claim that they're voluntarily addressing the problem out of an "abundance of caution," as if it's a minor incident, often even when it's a much bigger problem, but without reasonable reporting and oversight it's virtually impossible to tell the spin from the truth.

Walmart had several more top management employees hired from their competitors, raising doubts about the revolving door where one wealthy class of people move from one management or government position to another among industries that are supposedly competing, yet the vast majority of the public has no opportunity at these jobs or to get the education necessary to do them, nor do we have the right to know about most of their business practices, which often impact safety, fraud, antitrust violations or other related issues, since this is usually considered "proprietary" which means secrecy is protected by law, although the people profiting off this secrecy don't refer to it as a conspiracy.

Walmart is suing poultry companies for price collusion at the same time they're being sued for stealing intellectual property. The lawsuit against the poultry industry mentions a couple of the largest suppliers they deal with, but doesn't sue them, only targeting smaller companies.

Are we supposed to believe that this is what antitrust laws are supposed to accomplish? Big companies suing small companies for colluding, so they can increase the consolidation of the market?

I don't completely rule out possibility that these small companies are involved in price fixing, but a look at the history of supply and demand clearly indicates that some form of planning is needed, lack of good planning created the great depression and better planning brought us out of it. Sometimes this involved preventing over production so workers, small farmers, or small production facilities can make a reasonable amount of money.

Our current system is totally controlled by a small group of people that are rigging the entire system for their own beneift then they sue anyone that interferes with the rigged system.

Dozens if not hundreds of media outlets reported that Walmart management at the local level makes an average of $175,000 a year and that other "full-time workers" make $14.26 an hour; however a close look at the details or a few of the rare articles that reviews this from workers points of view shows how misleading it is. They consider full time to be working thirty-two hours or more, rarely ever over forty, so they don't have to pay overtime; and the vast majority of their workers are working part-time for lower wages. Many of these workers have to work multiple jobs without benefits, which means that there workers are still earning poverty wages, unlike the image the media is trying to create! Additional articles expose that they didn't initially pay their workers what they earned until they were exposed on what they call an "error" at a closed store for their final paychecks.

This might be why celebrities, including Lebron James are criticized for representing Walmart. They're also fighting many lawsuits, some new, including a lawsuit over selling Homeopathic ‘Snake Oil,’ others decades old, trying to run out the clock on people that may not be able to afford lawyers or court costs.

Walmart is also increasing their use of artificial technology, and some of their officials are testifying before congress about this or related issues. Some of this research involves how to manipulate customers and workers to increase profits, although, as usual we can't rely on full disclosure. A few months ago they began slowly and quietly closing stores across the country, which hasn't been noticed nearly as much as a couple past mass closings, nor is it quite as big, but a couple articles show they closed at least fifteen stores in the last few months.

One store in Louisiana had a visit from a mother duck and a dozen or so ducklings, who were rescued by the fire department. Another one in Texas had a visit from a snake hanging out in the shopping cart, who was removed by a "Snake charmer" who was "only bit once"

I don't know why they don't let them shop like anyone else!



Do you ever wonder if anyone urinates on the merchandise you buy at Walmart? In most cases, I doubt it; but not only did Walmart get this on camera, but so did a friend of the person doing it, although there's no word on whether it was posted on social media.

Strange things happen at Walmart!





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

Stacy Mitchell has also compiled a list of other studies about Walmart and how they impact society, Key Studies on Big-Box Retail & Independent Business. To the best of my knowledge Walmart has done as little as they seem to get away with, often relying on rhetoric that isn't backed up with action, when it comes to addressing any of their critics concerns, including crime. One of the responses they’ve come up with is what they call "Restorative Justice" which gives first time shoplifters a chance to avoid being arrested or any criminal record if they take an on line course which costs $400 up front or $500 in payments, plus perhaps, reparations. This has been part of the privatization process and often denies suspects of the due process or access to a lawyer, perhaps even intimidating and extorting from some people that might not even be guilty. Walmart seems to be trying to find a way to turn crime into a profit making situation instead of looking for the most effective ways to reduce it. Making Change at Walmart is asking If you or someone you know has gone through @Walmart's "Restorative Justice" program for first-time suspected shoplifters, send us a DM. 03/30/2017 to ensure that it isn’t doing more harm than good. I did my own review of this program as well at Walmart’s “Restorative Justice” Endangers Public Without Reducing Crime. The following are a list of incidents that occurred in May 2019. According to the "Is Walmart Safe?" the average store in their sampling had 250 incidents per year, indicating that these are only a fraction of the crime reports at Walmart, and presumably, the ones most likely to make the news on the internet nationwide. This isn't statistically representative, as the 2006 or the "Rolling Back Prices and Raising Crime Rates?" study or some of the studies cited by Stacy Mitchell; but it does provide some additional information that may help recognize how many problems there are at Walmart.



Police investigating after woman found shot outside Hartsville SC Walmart 05/01/2019

HARTSVILLE, SC (WMBF) – A woman was found shot in the leg Wednesday morning outside a Walmart in Hartsville.

According to Lt. Mark Blair with Hartsville police, officers found the woman outside the store on South Fourth Street. Blair said the woman called police herself to report the incident.

Police are continuing to investigate, but Blair said it does not appear the shooting occurred at the Walmart. Complete article


Walmart Looking To Hire 100 Truck Drivers, Opens New Transportation Hub In McClellan Ca. 05/01/2019

Police arrest pair who robbed a Newington Conn. Walmart 05/01/2019

Man pleads guilty for Aug. 9. 2017 attempted lewd act on child at Palm Springs Ca. Walmart 05/01/2019

Suspect wanted for armed robbery in Ga. Walmart parking lot 05/01/2019

The victim was robbed at gunpoint outside of the Snellville store by a masked assailant.

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — On Wednesday, April 10, around 2:00 a.m. in the morning, an unidentified male suspect approached a female shopper as she loaded groceries in the trunk of her car in the parking lot of the Wal-Mart located at 3435 Centerville Hwy in unincorporated Snellville.

A man wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and red jeans with a scarf covering his face, brandished a gun at victim demanding her valuables. She surrendered the keys to her car, backpack and smartphone to the suspect who immediately fled on foot. Complete article


Armed Suspect in custody after high-speed chase ends in a crash at Macclenny Fla. Walmart 05/01/2019

One person is in custody after a high-speed chase ended at a Walmart in Macclenny on Wednesday, according to the Baker County Sheriff's Office.

The suspect, preliminarily identified as Patrick West of Titusville, reportedly got into an altercation with a police officer from Georgia.

The pursuit included speeds of over 100 miles per hour across multiple interstates, Florida Highway Patrol said. Stop sticks were used to try to slow the West. The pursuit ended at the Walmart at Interstate-10 and Highway 228 in Macclenny after the suspect crashed into a semi truck, FHP said. West reportedly bailed on foot towards the Walmart entrance but was stopped by police.

FHP says West will be charged with a multitude of crimes from fleeing, to drug possession, to having a loaded firearm. He will also face charges in South Georgia for alleged assault on an officer. Complete article


Wyoming Police seek eyewitnesses to hit-and-run crash in front of Walmart 05/01/2019

CHEYENNE – Cheyenne Police are seeking assistance in a hit-and-run accident that took place Tuesday afternoon in the 2000 block of Dell Range Boulevard, in front of Walmart.

At approximately 2 p.m., a vehicle ran into the back of a gold Chevy Tahoe, which then collided with a white Kia Optima. Both of the victims’ vehicles were eastbound. While multiple people saw the crash, none stayed on scene to provide information. Complete article


Police nab Dresden couple after 80 mph chase and Maine Walmart theft 05/01/2019

BRUNSWICK — Two people who allegedly made away with a cart full of Walmart merchandise were arrested after police say they led a sheriff’s deputy on a chase reaching speeds of 80 miles per hour.

Brunswick Police Cmdr. Mark Waltz said police got a call from Walmart’s loss prevention staff at 6 p.m. Tuesday alleging that two people were leaving the store with a shopping cart full of goods.

“Loss prevention tried to stop them,” Waltz said. “They forced their way past loss prevention, got into a car and left.” Complete article


Wanted man arrested after chase through Coos Bay Oregon Walmart 05/01/2019

COOS BAY, Ore. – The suspect who led police on a chase where a K9 was injured is now behind bars.

The Coos County Sheriff’s Office said on Easter Eve, K9 Odin was called upon to track down a man who ran from deputies, 29-year-old Devin Jon Wilson.

While working to track down Wilson, K9 Odin came across a porcupine and was hit with numerous quills, some implanting near his left eye.

Deputies immediately stopped tracking Wilson and took Odin to a veterinary hospital where he was sedated while doctors worked to remove the quills. Complete article


Woman's $2,800 MacBook taken during oil change at Tx. Walmart 05/01/2019

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A Houston woman recently went for an oil change at a Walmart on South Kirkwood. Treasure Berry tells ABC13's Ted Oberg she put her brand new Mac laptop, she thought safely, in her trunk.

When she returned to the car after the oil change, it was gone.

"It was a MacBook Pro," Berry told ABC13. It was so new, she still had the receipt for $2,800.42.

She gave the keys to the Walmart techs and went inside the store to get something to eat while they worked on her car.

When she realized later the laptop was missing, Berry told us, "I asked one of the workers like, 'You know that you touched my stuff?' And he's like, 'No, we didn't touch her car, man.'"

Finally, she found someone with answers.

"The third worker was like, 'Oh, two guys came and they took it out of your trunk," Berry said. "I said, 'Okay, well, why would you let them do that?' 'Oh, because he said it was his car.'"

The two guys were gone. Her computer was too. She says the Walmart manager found the guys on surveillance video. Berry called the police and asked Walmart to pay for the computer.

She didn't have much luck with that. "They're like, 'Well, we don't find that it was Walmart's fault, so we're going to deny the claim.'" Complete article They paid only after it was reported in the news.


Police: Customer urinated on front door after being kicked out of Greenwood Ind. Walmart for threatening employees with a knife 05/01/2019

GREENWOOD, Ind. (WTHR) — An Indianapolis man is facing charges in Johnson County for allegedly threatening customers at a Greenwood Walmart and exposing himself.

It happened Tuesday at the Walmart on Emerson Avenue.

According to a police report, Richard Johnson is accused of stumbling through the store, acting aggressively and threatening employees with a knife. Complete article


NY Walmart Tests AI to Identify In-Store Problems 05/01/2019

If you’ve ever been in a Walmart – or any other big box retailer for that matter – you know that many sections of the store could benefit from an extra set of eyes. With the sheer volume of traffic and transactions occurring on a daily basis, things like inventory issues, spills, and abandoned carts can leave the once-friendly aisles littered with… well, litter.

The Associated Press has reported that Walmart is testing new technology that applies artificial intelligence to tackle in-store monitoring in order to address these types of issues.

Its test bed is the recently launched “Intelligent Retail Lab,” housed within a 50,000 square foot store on Long Island, where thousands of cameras and sensors will monitor the store in real time.

According to the AP, the tech can identify spills or assess whether a shelf needs restocking – even if carts are running low. It even works to the point where overripe fruit could be determined based on its color and workers could receive an alert on their phones to replace it. Complete article


Woman ordered to pay restitution to Walmart 05/01/2019

A Marion woman was ordered to pay more than $3,000 in restitution to Walmart.

Krystal M. Gephart, 30, entered oral pleas of guilty to three counts of theft, all fifth-degree felonies, during a hearing in Seneca County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Kelbley’s courtroom.

Kelbley found Gephart met the criteria for intervention in lieu of conviction and ordered her to serve a three-year period of rehabilitation, court records state. ....

Kelbley ordered Gephart — along with her co-defendant, Justin A. Gephart, 32, of Marion — to pay restitution totaling nearly $3,300 to Walmart. Complete article


John Daly swears off Walmart, igniting Arkansas in-state rivalry we never saw coming 05/01/2019

Ca. Walmart Bathroom Sex In Front Of Teen Girl: Guilty! 05/01/2019 According to Hutchinson, the suspect stuck his head underneath the bottom of a stall in the women’s restroom while a 13-year-old girl was inside.

Carlsbad NM Walmart evacuated after bomb threat reported 05/0/2019

Police: Suspects sought in robbery of 85-year-old woman at Warner Robins Ga. Walmart 05/02/2019

Windham Maine police investigate hit-and-run in Walmart parking lot 05/02/2019

WINDHAM, Maine — Police in Windham said a woman was injured in a hit-and-run Wednesday night.

The crash happened in the Walmart parking lot off Route 302, police said.

A woman suffered injuries not considered life-threatening after a person driving a Jeep hit her, police said.

The driver was 16 years old, police said. Complete article


Carol Whitmire worked at Ariz. Walmart for 8 years, then her employer discovered she used medical marijuana 05/02/2019

Carol Whitmire liked her job as a customer service supervisor in a Walmart store in Taylor, Arizona, but it all starting falling apart the day a bag of ice fell on her wrist. That seemingly random accident unleashed a series of events that ended up in her firing and filing a wrongful termination lawsuit.

Around six years after starting work at Walmart WMT, +1.09% first as a cashier at another store, Whitmire, 61, obtained a state-issued medical marijuana card to treat lasting pain from arthritis and an old shoulder surgery.

In May 2016, that bag of ice fell on Whitmire’s right wrist as she leveled bags in the ice machine. She finished her shift, but the pain and swelling continued for several days. She was sent to an urgent-care clinic by Walmart.

At the clinic, her wrist was X-rayed and she took a urine test. No one at the clinic took her medical marijuana card, so Whitmire — anticipating that her employer would know that she had marijuana in her system — told her supervisor that she uses the drug for medical purposes.

Two months later, she was fired, with her positive drug test cited as the reason. Complete article


Woman Scams Wisc. Walmart Out Of Almost $8,000 In 40 Minutes: Report 05/02/2019

Investigators say a Texas woman conned one Walmart cashier after another into receiving fraudulent funds at two Wisconsin stores.

MOUNT PLEASANT, WI — A 32-year-old Texas woman and her accomplice have been arrested and charged after investigators say they ran a scheme at two Walmart stores in the area - netting nearly $8,000 in stolen funds from unwitting cashiers in a matter of 40 minutes at one stop.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Racine County, Jocelyn Carter and her accomplice entered the Walmart on Oakes Road on June 30, 2018 and conned one cashier after another into giving her Walmart cash cards for free.

Investigators say when Carter was done, she and her accomplice defrauded cashiers and Walmart out of $7,954 in funds. Complete article


Scammers reportedly dupe Humane Society donors at Ga. Walmart 05/02/2019

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) - A police investigation is underway into a report that two individuals, a male, and female, were outside the Whitemarsh Walmart about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, impersonating Humane Society of Greater Savannah employees.

The couple was reportedly telling patrons that the animal shelter can no longer accept cash donations due to a new law by President Trump prohibiting non-profit groups from accepting cash. They were instead, trying to get patrons to give them their credit and debit card information for donations to the Humane Society. Complete article


Starbucks recalls Bodum French press sold at Walmart and Amazon 05/02/2019

At least nine people have reported that the broken device caused lacerations.

On Wednesday, Starbucks issued a nationwide recall of its Bodum French Press coffee makers. The sleek device, which retailed for about $20, has been pulled from store shelves after at least nine consumers reported that they were injured when a piece of the device snapped off.

Starbucks and Bodum (a kitchenware company based in Copenhagen, Denmark) created at least 263,000 coffee presses that were distributed throughout the U.S. and Canada between November 2016 and January 2019. Complete article


Kenner La. firefighters rescue mother duck and ducklings from Walmart parking lot 05/02/2019

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The Kenner Fire Department came to the rescue of a mother duck and her ducklings Wednesday morning.

Officials say they received numerous calls from people worried about the ducks wandering around the Walmart parking lot located near the intersection of Loyola Drive and West Esplanade Avenue.

Firefighters arrived at the Walmart and carefully placed the mother duck and her 13 ducklings into two boxes. They were then transported and released into a lagoon at a nearby park on Loyola Dr. Complete article


Thomaston Maine denies Walmart abatement again 05/03/2019

THOMASTON — For the second year in a row, the Thomaston Board of Assessors has denied a request for tax abatement by Walmart.

Assessor Dave Martucci said May 1 that the company has not filed with the state board of appeals yet, as it did with its first appeal last year.

The findings of facts and decision prepared by the board notes the request for a reduction in the assessed value of the property located "at 55 Thomaston Commons Way from $15,464,000 to $7,400,000, which would be a tax reduction of $168,779.52 for fiscal year 2018-19, is denied because no creditable evidence of support for the requested reduction of value has been submitted."

A review of the real estate appraisal submitted on behalf of Walmart was conducted by David Cornell, president of Cornell Consultants LLC of New Hampshire, who found the appraisal "lacks a sufficient 'scope' of the land valuation and insufficient analysis of the land sale adjustments." Complete article


Walmart Creates New Position and Hires General Counsel for Health and Wellness 05/01/2019

Jeanine Jiganti, an experienced health care lawyer, joins Walmart as it and several other corporate giants, including Google, Apple and Amazon.com, are exploring ways to make health care more accessible, less expensive and of higher quality.

Pushing forward with plans to remake America’s health care system, Walmart Inc. on Wednesday announced it has created the new legal position of senior vice president and general counsel for health and wellness. The company named Jeanine Jiganti, an experienced health care lawyer, to the post. Complete article


Man stole personal care items from Wisc. Walmart, Target 05/02/2019 Rickey Franklin, 56, Racine, was charged by the Racine County District Attorney’s Office with three counts of retail theft. If convicted of the charges, he faces up to seven years nine months in prison and/or fines up to $30,000.

Three dogs rescued from a hot car outside a Fort Myers Fla. Walmart 05/02/2019

Theft Thursdays: Sheriff looking for 2 wanted for shoplifting from Walmart 05/02/2019

NM Walmart $1,399 phone thief sought by police 05/03/2019 Las Cruces Crime Stoppers is offering a reward up to $1,000 for information that helps identify the suspect.

Joliet Ill. police arrest man on retail theft charge at Walmart 05/03/2019

Car stolen from Federal Way Wash. Walmart parking lot with developmentally disabled man inside 05/03/2019

SEATTLE — Authorities say a man with Down syndrome who was in a car that was stolen from a Walmart parking lot in Federal Way has been found.

Federal Way Police say Royce Ulibarri, 42, and the suspect accused of stealing the car were both located in Seattle Friday. Ulibarri was safe but was checked out by medical personnel as a precaution, police said.

The suspect was taken into custody and the stolen vehicle was recovered.

Police said Ulibarri was in a car in a Walmart parking lot Friday when a man got into the vehicle and drove away. Complete article


Siberian Husky stolen outside La. Walmart found safe 05/03/2019

SHREVEPORT, LA (KSLA) - Update: Rocky has been found! CPSO: “The case remains under investigation. Rocky, who is six months old, will spend the night with Sgt. John Hay, who investigated the case, until he can be picked up by his owner tomorrow.”

Authorities with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office need help identifying two people after a Siberian Husky was stolen from outside of an area Walmart. The incident happened Thursday, May 2, at the store located on Mansfield Road.

Rocky, who is 6-months-old, was taken around 8 p.m. His owner, a long -haul truck driver from Florida, stopped at the store for medication and tied him to a pole near the south entrance. Complete article


Editorial: SC Walmart tries to sidestep single-use plastic bans 05/03/2019

When it comes to plastic bags, nobody is going to tell Walmart what to do — except maybe its customers.

To comply with Mount Pleasant’s ban on single-use plastics and those elsewhere, the multibillion-dollar Arkansas-based multinational retailer has beefed up its giveaway plastic bags to make them reusable and emblazoned them with feel-good messages. But let’s face it: plastic is plastic.

Though the new bags may be an incremental improvement in some ways and comply with the letter of the law, they certainly don’t comport with the spirit of it. And if there’s any single company that could afford to lead the way in reducing plastic waste, it’s Walmart — one of the world’s most profitable companies and its biggest private-sector employer. Complete article


Police: Man Stole Hundreds Of Dollars In Fishing Gear From Latrobe Pa. Walmart 05/04/2019

Men Spend $1,500 On Stolen Cards At Walmart: Warminster PD 05/0/2019

Police reports 5/5/19: Olean woman allegedly walks out of NY Walmart with $1,000 of unpaid merchandise 05/05/2019

Walmart store in Hanford Ca. evacuated after bomb threat 05/05/2019

Two men arrested in Jennings La. Walmart shooting in April 2019 05/05/2019

2 charged after reported scuffle, attempted abduction at Ohio Walmart 05/06/2019

FREMONT - Two men were charged in a scuffle at Walmart in which one of the men is alleged to have choked a woman and attempted to take her against her will, according to a Fremont Police report.

Fremont Police responded to a report of an argument between two males in the Walmart parking lot around 4:14 p.m. Saturday.

Darrien Davis, 21, of Fremont, still at large, is charged with a fourth-degree felony domestic violence for his role in the scuffle, according to the report.

A 24-year-old woman told police Davis was following her and making threats. She said while they were in the Walmart parking lot, Davis threw her into his car and stole her wallet. Complete article


Lower Allen Township Pa. supervisor accused of punching woman in Walmart parking lot 05/06/2019

LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP — Police have charged a 53-year-old Cumberland County man with simple assault and harassment after he allegedly punched a woman several times during an argument in the parking lot of a Lower Allen Township Walmart.

Jack Roderick Simpson Jr. was charged after the alleged confrontation, which occurred Friday around 3:33 p.m., according to Lower Allen Township Police.

Simpson is a member of the Lower Allen Township Board of Commissioners, according to the Lower Allen Township government website.

Police say the victim was sitting in her vehicle in the parking lot when Simpson, who is known to her, approached her vehicle on the driver’s side and began yelling at her. The victim said she exited her vehicle and Simpson continued yelling, calling her vulgar names. This caused her to slap him across the face, the victim said. Complete article

Township commissioner charged with punching sister in Walmart parking lot 05/06/2019 Simpson, a Republican, is seeking re-election this year. He is among six GOP candidates seeking three nominations to four-year seats on the commission in the May 21 primary election.


Man charged with attempting to set St. Augustine Fla. Walmart on fire 05/06/2019

The sheriff's office said Matthew Pierce Payne, 44, was at a Walmart at 2355 US 1 S. when he reportedly grabbed lighter fluid from a shelf and poured it on the floor of the store.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — A man is behind bars after he reportedly attempted to set a St. Augustine Walmart on fire, threatened police with a metal tire plug and vandalized a Crime Stoppers kiosk, according to the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies said the incidents all happened Sunday morning between 6:30 a.m. and 8:40 a.m. Complete article


Walmart is testing a new employee structure with fewer in-store managers who will be paid more 05/06/2019

Walmart is implementing a new employee structure in stores in response to shifting shopping habits and employee demands, The Wall Street Journal reports. The net effect in some cases will be fewer midlevel, in-store managers who will be paid more and hold more responsibility.

Under the new model — which is already in place in around 75 locations and is expected to come to over 50 new supercenters next month — store managers will remain on top and will have around a half-dozen "Business Leads" under them managing finances and hiring directives, according to Bloomberg. Those supervisors will have "Team Leads" who will supervise groups of eight to 10 front-line employees.

Here's what it means: This employee restructuring, along with automation initiatives and heightened associate responsibilities, can help streamline Walmart's labor force.

Walmart's been leaning more heavily on existing associates to handle more work.The retailer has been favoring elevating the responsibilities of current employees over hiring more associates. For example, during the 2018 holiday season, Walmart optedto offer extra hours to its permanent workers instead of pushing to hire seasonal labor. And it's also been working to replace its greeters with "customer hosts" that have extra responsibilities beyond just greeting customers at 1,000 stores across the US. Raising employee responsibilities instead of hiring new associates, while also boosting the effectiveness of store management, can help Walmart keep its labor force lean, keeping costs low. Complete article

Bonney Lake Walmart’s robot zips along in tech revolution that’s raising big questions for workers 05/06/2019 BONNEY LAKE, Pierce County — When an autonomous floor scrubber was rolled out in Walmart’s Bonney Lake store last month, shoppers mistook the teal blue scrubber zipping down the aisles for a runaway machine, said manager David Klein. “Some customers are a little freaked out.”

Roosevelt Library backers look to Walmart heir, big oil, and governor 05/06/2019


Some North Lafayette La. stores being accused of price gouging following Walmart closure 05/04/2019

One Lafayette resident is calling it a blatant attempt to take advantage of residents who live in North Lafayette who were once loyal customers of the now closed Walmart.

Prices on bottled water, chips, other snacks, milk and some toiletry items have increased by as little as .25 cents to much as $2 in recent days, according to local shopper and Northside resident Delores Holmes.

Holmes said she frequented the Northside Walmart for essential items, but also spent money at a local neighborhood store because of its proximity to her home for when she needed a "quick something from the store."

"I knew that things would change once Walmart left the Thruway but "not this steep" she said. Before Walmart closed I could run in my neighborhood store and buy my milk, bread, bottled water, snacks for my kids, and my soda for around $20 a week, but that's long gone now because today I spent $26 on the exact same things." Complete article


State Police Working To Identify Alleged Pa. Walmart Thief 05/06/2019

State Police: Man Allegedly Steals Nearly $1,000 From Pa. Walmart 05/06/2019

Walmart launches grocery delivery in Daytona Beach Fla. 05/06/2019 The addition represents the company’s 1,000th grocery delivery location nationwide, a milestone that will be celebrated at an 8 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday at the Beville Road store.

Walmart owners plan to build public trails in Colorado 05/06/2019

Suspect in Roseville Mich. Walmart shoplifting sought 05/06/2019

Charlotte County Fla. Sheriff Office seeking Walmart jewelry thief 05/07/2019

Police: Man arrested for trying to steal from Okla. Walmart, found to have drugs 05/06/2019

Grand theft video: Thieves snatch $2,300 in games from Sugar Land Tx. Walmart 05/01/2019

Chattanooga Tenn. police arrest two suspects in Walmart parking lot pitbull puppy purchase gone bad with armed robbery 05/06/2019

A man was robbed at gunpoint after meeting a woman in the Greenway View Drive Walmart parking lot to buy a pitbull puppy in mid-April. Chattanooga police found and arrested the two suspects last week.

The man told police he was meeting "NBA Blondii," later identified as Bionca Buchanan, to buy a $1,500 puppy on April 16, Hamilton County court records state. A friend of his referred him to her.

They met in the Walmart parking lot, and the man got into Buchanan's front passenger seat to discuss business, court records show.

The victim told police he was in the car for about one minute when a man, later identified as Melvin Owens Jr., got into the back seat and pointed a gun to his face, demanding all $1,500. Complete article


Fight breaks out at Capitol Drive Wisc. Walmart, causes chaos 05/06/2019

The Milwaukee Police Department said it did respond to the call at the Walmart, but there was no shooting, and no one saw anyone with a gun.

No one was arrested, police said.

CAROLINE: EVERYTHING LOOKS OK. A MANAGER INSIDE SAID EVERYONE IN THE STORE IS OK WE DID TALK WITH A WOMAN WHO SAW THE FIGHT BREAKOUT. HERE’S WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY.

ALL OF A SUDDEN, A GUY BURSTS FROM THAT AND HE’S SCREAMING, " “I’M GONNA CLEAR THIS M-F’ER OUT.” MEANING THE STORE. HE RAN THROUGH THE DOORS AND RAN OUT, I GUESS HE WENT TO GO GET A FIREARM OR GUN, AND HE CAME BACK IN, OR TRIED TO, BUT THEY HAD LOCKED THE STORE DOWN. Complete article


Police say this man stole a man's wallet after he dropped it at Fla. Walmart 05/07/2019

Shallotte NC police looking for suspects in separate thefts at Walmart 05/08/2019

Feds: Men arrested locally illegally purchased Alabama Walmart gift cards for ‘Russian’ 05/07/2019

Police charge man with 'act of terrorism' after fire set inside Ohio Walmart 05/07/2019

KENTON, Ohio (WTHR) — The FBI has an Ohio man in custody for an "act of terrorism" — allegedly starting a fire inside a Walmart.

Investigators say 26-year-old Caleb Poole allegedly put items in a shopping cart, then lit it on fire.

Crews also searched the store after receiving reports of a "makeshift bomb."

"We suspected foul play and the arson team was called in along with the Hardin County Crime Task Force," said Kenton Police Chief Dennis Musser.

"We found an aerosol inside there," said fire chief Tim Clark. "At this point, we're thinking that was the sound of the explosion, that aeorosol can let go." Complete article

Records: Man accused of setting Hardin County Walmart fire caused $1 million in damages 05/09/2019

Competency exam ordered for man accused of starting Walmart fire 05/21/2019


Police: Suspect starts fire in Travelers Rest SC Walmart to cover shoplifting 05/08/2019

Travelers Rest, SC (FOX Carolina) - Travelers Rest police confirm the fire department and officers were called to the Walmart off Highway 25 and Benton Road early Wednesday morning.

According to police, the call came in around 4:41 a.m. Officers say a suspect was shoplifting televisions when police say he started a fire to distract the employees.

Police are still trying to determine at this time what the suspect used to start the fire, but tell us the fire was contained with minimal damage to the store and no one was hurt. Complete article

Police: Man set fires inside Walmart as diversion while he stole shopping cart of electronics 05/09/2019


Tulsa woman arrested for larceny, setting fire in Okla. Walmart bathroom 05/07/2019

TULSA. OKLA. — A Tulsa woman was arrested late Tuesday afternoon after she stole more than $1,300 worth of merchandise and then set the Walmart bathroom on fire, police say.

Kerri Jo Schlemme is in the Tulsa County jail on multiple complaints of unauthorized use of a credit card, first-degree arson, grand larceny and arson that endangers human life.

Officers say there were more than 500 people in the store at 81st and Lewis when she reportedly set a fire in an apparent attempt to distract from her escape at the fire exit.

According to an arrest report, Schlemme would stage a shopping cart near the fire exit, then leave and return with more merchandise.

At one point, Schlemme went to the women’s restroom, then left, and people reported it filled with smoke as she was seen headed toward the fire exit, the report says. Complete article


Someone Got Spray Paint Happy On The Walmart In Biddeford Maine 05/07/2019

This doesn't even seem like it could be real, but it is. Chances are that you've visited a Walmart location at some point in your lifetime. Chances are equally as good that the Walmart you visited was busy with customers and employees buzzing about. That includes on the outside of the store, where there's a constant flow of traffic. Yet, somehow, someone managed to spray paint a sprawling message across the Walmart location in Biddeford. Wow.

Shared on Reddit by ByeByeFlutterPie, you can see from the picture just how significantly large the message spray painted was. Police were obviously called to the scene quickly, but onlookers who showed up to the store throughout the remainder of the day were surprised to see the message. Complete article


Walmart signs 46 solar PPAs to help power operations in five states 05/08/2019

C2 Energy Capital announced today that it executed 46 Power Purchase Agreements and leases with Walmart to provide solar power at the retailer’s operations in five states. These agreements represent a tangible commitment by Walmart to achieve the retailer’s goal to have 50% of its operations powered by renewable energy by 2025. The solar installations will produce more than 65,000,000 kWh of renewable energy annually, enough energy to power nearly 5,500 homes, and are expected to supply approximately 10 to 60% of each stores’ overall electricity use.

“Solar is a vital component of Walmart’s expanding renewable energy portfolio,” said Mark Vanderhelm, VP of energy for Walmart. “Walmart plans to tirelessly pursue renewable energy projects that are right for our customers, our business and the environment. These planned projects with C2 Energy Capital are moving us in the right direction toward our renewable energy goals.” Complete article


Court Orders Cuker to Pay $1.2M Legal Bill After Winning Case Against Walmart 05/06/2019

A U.S. District Court judge recently awarded a Fayetteville law firm $1.2 million against a former client that didn't pay its legal bill. Complete article

Company founded by Hampton native wins $12 million verdict against Wal-Mart 04/27/2017 small California company founded by a Hampton High School graduate has won a $12.4 million federal jury verdict against Wal-Mart Stores Inc. — with the jury declaring that the world's largest retailer was "willful and malicious" in misappropriating the smaller firm's trade secrets in 2014.

Cuker Interactive LLC, a San Diego company founded by former Hampton resident Aaron G. Cuker, landed the award after a two-week jury trial in U.S. District Court in the Western District of Arkansas.

In an interview Tuesday, Cuker said the retail giant ripped off his company's trade secrets — designed to improve customers' experience on websites — and made sure they ended up in the hands of a lower-cost technology firm in India.

"They came in and they pillaged our technology and know-how and took it over to a lower-cost provider," said Cuker, the company's CEO and chief creative officer. "That takes away our competitive edge in the marketplace — and in the process, their goal was to destroy us."

Cuker said it was during 2014 litigation over a contract and payments dispute that he learned of some of Wal-Mart's actions. For example, he said, he learned that some of the supposed "Wal-Mart employees" in on multiple conference calls with his firm in early 2014 were in fact employees from an Indian competitor who were on the call with the retailer's knowledge.

"We were going over the technology," Cuker said. "So (Wal-Mart) had people on the call ... as we were walking through it."

That Indian firm, Cuker said, charges only a fifth of a U.S. provider's price. "I was really upset," he said. "We signed a confidentiality agreement between the parties. So I wouldn't have expected (Wal-Mart) to do that — the same way they wouldn't have wanted me to take their confidential information and give it to Target or Amazon."


Walmart launches online pet pharmacy, adding vet clinics to 100 stores 05/07/2019

(WTHR) – Pet owners will love this news from Walmart!

The retail chain is launching an online pet pharmacy that delivers pet medications straight to your door and they're also adding veterinary clinics to 100 stores.

Starting Tuesday, Walmart will begin delivering pet medications from more than 300 brands to customers' homes and businesses. Complete article


Woman reports disturbing encounter with man at Salisbury NC Walmart 05/08/2019

Man pried his way out of Lexington SC Walmart with cart full of stolen goods, police say 05/08/2019

Columbia Tenn. police after two Walmart shoplifters 05/08/2019

Man sentenced to time-served for lewd act against teen in Ca. Walmart bathroom 05/08/2019 William Hutchinson, Berthoud stuck his head under the bottom of a stall in the Walmart women's restroom while a 13-year-old girl was inside. Aug. 9, 2017

Suspect Wanted In Wyoming Walmart Hit-And-Run Crash 05/08/2019

Rock Springs Police are trying to track down a man who allegedly drive into another vehicle and then fled the scene at the Walmart parking lot on Sunday afternoon.

Investigators say the crash happened around 2:45 p.m. on May 5, according to surveillance video. The suspect is described as a white male. with gray hair and a beard, wearing glasses and a black suit. Complete article


2 arrested after ruckus at Boardman Ohio Walmart 05/09/2019

BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN) - A man and woman are facing charges after police say they were caught shoplifting Wednesday. The couple had a toddler with them.

Police say the woman became combative with police and kicked one of the officers. They say they had to carry her out of the store in front of customers.

Meagan Rodriguez, 28, is charged with theft, resisting arrest, obstructing official business, assault, and endangering children. Complete article


Man who stole beer, crowbar from Gresham Oregon Wal-Mart arrested outside store 05/08/2019

Armed with a crowbar, a man stole beer from a Gresham Wal-Mart on Monday night, but didn’t make it very far afterward.

Police found Jose Luis Galindo sitting outside the store at a table next to the beer he stole, and when officers approached him, he tried to walk away and wouldn’t stop, the police report said.

An officer used a Taser to detain the suspect, and then found the crowbar, also stolen, inside Galindo’s waistband.

An employee saw Galindo grabbing items and tearing open the packaging and attempted to escort Galindo out of the store. As they walked toward the front of the store, the report said, Galindo pulled out the crowbar from his waistband and swung it at the employee. Galindo missed, then ran out of the store without paying for the beer or the crowbar. Complete article


'You're fired': Heartless prank brings Tx. Walmart employee to tears 05/08/2019

RICHMOND, Texas - A Richmond woman and her family are upset after she was the target of a YouTube user’s online prank.

YouTuber Lauren Love has more than 100,000 people who subscribe to her page.

On April 23, she posted a video titled “CEO Firing People Prank.”

She begins the video explaining that she dressed up pretending to be a high ranking Walmart manager.

"So, I'm going to be going up to Walmart employees and basically observing them and then I'm going to be, like, 'You're fired, let me see your badge,'” Love said in the video.

The video shows her going up to some employees, praising their work, and to others saying they’re not doing a good job and “fires” them. She then tells them it’s a prank, but on the last clip, a woman she pretended to fire broke into tears. Complete article

Pranking YouTuber Goes Too Far at Walmart and Gets Banned From Stores 05/16/2019


Walmart to stop selling tobacco products to anyone under 21 05/08/2019

The minimum age to buy tobacco products and e-cigarettes at Walmart is rising.

Beginning July 1, people must be at least 21 years old to purchase tobacco products and e-cigarettes at the world's largest retailer, company officials announced Wednesday.

The changes also include purchases made at Sam's Club stores.

Walmart and Sam's Club also will discontinue the sale of fruit- and dessert-flavored electronic nicotine devices, according to a letter submitted to the Food and Drug Administration.

"Even a single sale to a minor is one too many, and we take seriously our responsibilities in this regard," Walmart officials said in a statement.

The changes at Walmart come as Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii; Sen. Todd Young, R-Indiana; Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois; and Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, recently introduced legislation that would prohibit the sale of tobacco products — including e-cigarettes — to anyone under the age of 21. Complete article

Walmart Nixes Fruity E-Cigarettes From Shelves, Raises Purchasing Age For Tobacco 05/08/2019

Even smokers support Walmart upping age limit, but think it won’t work 05/09/2019


Walmart store managers make $175,000 a year, while other full-time workers make $14.26 an hour 05/08/2019

Walmart Inc. WMT, -0.69% store managers in the U.S. earn an average of $175,000 a year while full-time hourly workers make an average of $14.26 an hour, the retail giant disclosed Wednesday.

The figures, included in a social responsibility report, are part of Walmart’s long-running efforts to rebut criticism of its worker pay and bolster its competitive position in an increasingly tight labor market.

The pressure on Walmart has intensified as competitors including Amazon.com AMZN, -1.11% Inc. and Costco Wholesale Corp. have raised their minimum wage to at least $15 an hour. Complete article


Many Walmart employees earning below poverty line 05/09/2019

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart said its average store manager now makes $175,000 a year, while its average full-time hourly worker makes $14.26 an hour, as the country’s largest private employer tries to attract workers in an ever-tightening job market.

Starting wages at Walmart have risen more than 50% in the past three years, according to a company report released this week. Salaries have also continued to rise for store managers, whose pay is calculated based on a number of factors, including the size of the store and its sales.

“In many cases, our store managers will be running the biggest business in their communities, with as much as $100 million in sales,” said Kory Lundberg, a spokesman for Walmart. “This is a recognition of their efforts.”

But labor advocacy groups say the retailer’s hourly pay is still too low for many of its workers, particularly given the $129 billion in profits it posted last year.

“Too many people who work at Walmart are stuck in part-time, low wage jobs,” said Cyndi Murray, a Walmart employee and member of United for Respect, an employee group that advocates for workers’ rights. “Conveniently, Walmart would like to focus on how much store managers get paid, but about half a million associates are ... being left out of the equation.” Complete article

Walmart proves capitalism is better than socialism 05/10/2019


Walmart admits accounting error while distributing final paychecks for employees at closed Redbird Tx. store 05/08/2019

DALLAS, Texas — Walmart is sending out new checks to a certain number of employees who worked at its Redbird store after they may not have received or only received half of what they were owed after the store closed.

Last month, the retailer said it planned to close the Walmart at 3155 W. Wheatland Road as part of a group of stores it was shutting down across the country.

The store was closed officially on April 26, and a spokesperson for Walmart said the reason why was mainly due to the store underperforming financially. Complete article


Nearly Two Decades Ago, Women Across the Country Sued Walmart for Discrimination. They’re Not Done Fighting 05/08/2019

From the time she got her job at Pace Membership Warehouse in Roseville, Calif., in 1993, Claudia Renati was determined to advance. Her husband had been injured and couldn’t work, and the housing market plummeted in the early ’90s, hitting them hard. “I needed steady income to keep our house,” she recalls.

When Sam’s Club, a warehouse retailer owned by Walmart, bought Pace in 1993, Renati was optimistic. The orientation materials described how high-performing employees could take part in the manager-in-training (MIT) program, a prerequisite for shifting from hourly roles to salaried management. She dreamed of running her own store.

“I worked my butt off year after year with excellent reviews,” she says. Renati kept asking for promotions. Instead, other people–“the white-boy frat,” she says–were put in the positions she sought, and she had to train them. Many didn’t have Renati’s experience; one was a microbiologist. At one point, Renati says, a district manager told her that to get into the MIT program, she would have to move to Alaska. She pointed out that she had trained plenty of men who had gotten promotions without uprooting to Alaska and that she was willing to move to other Sam’s Clubs in their area to do her training. But this boss wouldn’t budge.

Eventually she watched more than a dozen men get promoted over her. She developed depression, anxiety and high blood pressure, all of which she attributes to the stress of what she went through. “A part of you is torn out every time you applied and they never gave you a chance,” she says. Each time, she’d come home and cry. “And then I’d get up the next day and go to work.” Complete article


Carlisle Pa. police seek 2 for theft at Walmart 05/08/2019

Boardman Ohio crime activity: Police say men tried to steal TV from Walmart, got stuck in door 05/09/2019

Leesburg man charged after DVDs fall from his pants at Fla. Walmart 05/09/2019

North Las Vegas Nevada police looking for Walmart burglary suspect 05/09/2019 About 8:30 p.m., the man walked behind the counter of the automotive department, pried open two cash registers and stole about $800, then exited through the front doors of the store.

Affidavit: Converse man accused of filming up a woman's dress at Tx. Walmart 05/09/2019 The man told her he was with loss prevention for the store

Troopers: Woman dies after being hit by car in Boiling Springs SC Walmart shopping center 05/09/2019

BOILING SPRINGS, SC (FOX Carolina) – Troopers said a woman has died after she was struck by a vehicle in the Boiling Springs Walmart shopping center parking lot Thursday.

Troopers said a SUV being driven by an 89-year-old male was making a left turn from Highway 9 into the shopping center property when the vehicle struck the woman.

The woman was taken to the hospital in serious condition.

Just after 6 p.m. troopers gave an update that the woman had passed away. Complete article


LPD says man urinates on property inside Lubbock Tx. Walmart, another steals purse 05/08/2019

LUBBOCK, Texas — On Wednesday, the Lubbock Police Department released information about three suspects they are trying to locate in relation to two different crimes.

According to LPD, one man located and took a lost purse in the parking lot of the Walmart at 4th Street and Frankford Avenue on April 30.

On May 2, LPD said the second and third suspects were seen roaming the isles of the same Walmart. In surveillance video, it appears one suspect stops to urinate on an isle while the other suspect records him on his phone, LPD said. Complete article


Robbery attempt in parking lot of LR Walmart, police say 05/09/2019

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - A woman leaving a Walmart store on the west side of town has reported a robbery attempt in the parking lot.

The Little Rock Police Department says officers were called to the store on S. Bowman Rd. around 10 a.m. Wednesday.

A 31-year-old Jacksonville woman told them she was being followed by a group of people as she left the store and that one of them then approached her.

She said the man told her he was with loss prevention for the store and accused her of having stolen the items in her bag.

The woman said the man then reached for her bag and the wallet type purse she was carrying and they struggled.

In fear for her safety, the woman said she told him "I have a gun in my car," and he then ran away. Complete article

Update: Robbery attempt in LR Arkansas Walmart parking lot, police need help identifying suspect 05/22/2019


Police: Woman on motorized shopping cart shoplifts from 2 Tx. Walmarts, bites officer 05/09/2019

SAN ANGELO, Texas — A San Angelo woman on a motorized shopping cart is accused of shoplifting from two Walmart locations and biting an officer.

Bessie Limuel, 53, is charged with two counts of theft, resisting arrest and assault on a public servant.

Police responded to the Walmart on Sherwood Way on Thursday morning after the store said a woman on a motorized shopping cart stole more than $500 worth of meat. .....

Police say Limuel resisted arrest and during a struggle bit the officer’s leg.

Two Good Samaritans helped the officer take her into custody. Complete article


Chests Sold Online At Target, Walmart Recalled After 2-Year-Old Killed In Tip-Over 05/09/2019

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – More than 300,000 three-drawer chests sold online at a number of retailers, including Walmart and Target, are being recalled after a child died when the chest tipped over.

South Shore Furniture is recalling 310,000 its Libra 3-drawer chests. The company says if the chests aren’t anchored to the wall, they can fall over, causing death or injuries to children.

A 2-year-old reportedly died after an incident with an unanchored, empty 3-drawer chest, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. In another incident, a child was left with bruises and scratches on his leg after the drawer fell over. The chests weigh about 56 pounds, empty. Complete article

Furniture sold at Walmart, Target recalled due to possibility of entrapment 05/09/2019


COUNTY CRIME | Cashier attacked at Nottingham Md. Walmart; medicine stolen at Perry Hall Weis 05/09/2019 Someone entered Walmart, on Perry Hills Road, at 5:25 p.m. May 5, assaulted a cashier and stole a cash register. The suspect then fled on foot.

POLICE REPORTS: Shopper attempts to pass counterfeit cash at Tx. Walmart 05/10/2019

Police Search for 3 Suspects Involved in Crime at a Tx. Walmart 05/10/2019

Pahrump Nevada Walmart employee charged with embezzlement 05/09/2019

Man wanted for getting gift card from Va. Walmart by returning stolen items 05/09/2019

Football players get probation for stealing from Idaho Walmart 05/10/2019

Sahuarita Ariz. PD looking for Walmart shoplifting suspect 05/10/2019

Man with marijuana arrested in stolen vehicle at Wal-Mart at Buffalo Ridge Plaza Fla. 05/10/2019

BPD investigating alleged kidnap attempt at SW Bakersfield Ca. Walmart 05/10/2019

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Bakersfield Police Department is investigating an attempted kidnapping that reportedly happened Thursday night at a Walmart in Southwest Bakersfield.

BPD says on May 9 around 8:21 p.m. officers were dispatched to the Walmart at 5075 Gosford Road for an attempted kidnapping.

An early investigation revealed two men were walking past the alleged juvenile victim before making a comment towards him. Complete article


Woman attacked in American Canyon Ca. Walmart as her 5-year-old daughter watched, police say 05/10/2019

Two Vallejo sisters were arrested Thursday after attacking a woman who was with her 5-year-old daughter inside the Walmart in American Canyon, police say.

The woman was left with clumps of hair pulled out of her head, an injured eye and a red face, according to the American Canyon Police Department. Her daughter let go of her hand and hid in a clothing rack during the attack, police say.

Marciela Flores, 30, and Maria Lourdes Flores, 20, saw the woman around 2 p.m., police say. Marciela confronted the woman, but Maria suggested she hold back because there were children with them, police say. Complete article


Hermitage Ohio Walmart thief evades police chase, arrested in Youngstown 05/10/2019

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - An alleged Hermitage Walmart thief evaded police through several counties Friday night.

The chase began around 6:30 p.m. in Hermitage after the man police say the man stole from Walmart.

Officers pursued the vehicle with speeds reaching 100 miles per hour.

Mercer County dispatchers told 21 News that they followed the driver into Trumbull County before passing off the pursuit near the Brookfield area. Complete article


Blotter: Man charged with stealing TV from NC Walmart 05/10/2019

Davenport Iowa Police investigating crime scene near Elmore Ave. Walmart 05/12/2019

Springdale Arkansas mom pursues bachelor's degree with Live Better U program 05/12/2019 This is an online course, research into, privatized for profit, online schools has shown them to be highly ineffective, often no better than what you can do on your own. Since this is so cheap it's not stealing much, like other online schools but it's being used for propaganda to make Walmart look good.

Sexual assault reported at Cape Coral Fla. Walmart 05/13/2019

CAPE CORAL, Fla. -- A person says they were sexually assaulted at a Southwest Florida Walmart on Sunday.

A Walmart spokesperson says this happened at the Del Prado Boulevard location in Cape Coral.

The victim was found by an associate, who contacted police. Walmart says they are helping with the investigation and are providing surveillance footage. Complete article


Walmart ditches e-commerce in Brazil 05/13/2019

Walmart is reviewing its digital strategy in Brazil and has shut down its online marketplace in the country as part of the process.

The decision to end the e-commerce operation, which offered products from third parties in addition to Walmart's own, comes as the company takes "initial steps towards the reformulation of its digital strategy."

According to Walmart, the marketplace was not a significant revenue stream for the company. Some 70 staff of the 90 employees working on the platform were made redundant as a result of the changes. Complete article


Woman’s actions at NC Walmart, combined with her criminal history, results in at least 7 years in prison 05/14/2019

Police: Man used shopping basket to film up woman’s dress at Ga. Walmart 05/14/2019

Police: Nashville woman busted at Ashland City Tenn. Walmart with counterfeit money 05/14/2019

1 wounded after self-inflicted gunshot outside Westminster Colorado Walmart 05/14/2019

WESTMINSTER, Colo. – One person was wounded following a shooting police said was self-inflicted outside of a Walmart in Westminster Tuesday afternoon. The victim was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Officers were responding to the incident about 3:30 p.m. in the 7100 block of Sheridan Boulevard, near West 72nd Avenue, according to Westminster police on Twitter.

Police said the incident was not related to Walmart and that there is no threat to the public. The store remained open during the investigation. Complete article


St. Albans Vermont Walmart briefly evacuated, police investigate shooting report 05/14/2019

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) The St. Albans Walmart is back to normal. Staffers and customers were evacuated Monday after reports of a shooting.

Police say someone reported that a customer shot at a bird inside the store.

Walmart sent its employees and customers out to the parking lot. Complete article


Man accused of armed robbery was drinking beer, driving around NM Walmart in electric cart 05/13/2019 (Knife)

FARMINGTON — A Farmington man drinking beer and driving around a Farmington Walmart in an electric cart is accused of threatening an employee with a knife as he stole about $106 in merchandise.

Tommy Singer, 53, is accused of a second-degree felony count of armed robbery and a third-degree felony count of tampering with evidence, according to court records.

He is accused of robbing the Walmart at 4600 E. Main St. on May 2 and attempting to hide evidence from the scene to avoid prosecution, according to the probable cause statement. Complete article


Fire inside Lebanon Oregon Walmart creates toxic smoke, closes several nearby businesses 05/14/2019

Fire crews had to close the Walmart superstore in Lebanon after responding to a fire inside the store Tuesday afternoon.

The fire, which started in an aisle where pool-cleaning chemicals were stored, created toxic smoke. Several nearby businesses had to be evacuated as well. There were no reported injuries.

Lebanon Fire District Battalion Chief Nick Tyler said they still have not identified a cause, and as of about 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, fire personnel were still at the site investigating. Complete article

Prosecutor: Suspect said Lebanon Walmart fire was 'trial run' 05/17/2019

The man who allegedly started a chemical fire at the Lebanon Walmart left the store, met up with a friend, admitted to setting the blaze and said it was just a “trial run,” said prosecutor Coleen Cerda during a hearing in Linn County Circuit Court on Friday afternoon.

“He poses a substantial risk of doing this again, in his own words,” Cerda added.

Joel Lee Reynolds Jr., 49, was charged with first-degree arson.

Suspected arson fire closes Walmart for a week 05/22/2019

‘I scratched my itch’: Walmart blaze causes $8.9 million damage, authorities say 05/31/2019


Google, Walmart to testify before Senate on machine learning 05/14/2019

Google and Walmart have been called to testify before the US Senate on how the use of algorithms and AI by websites can affect internet users.

The hearing, set for Tuesday, May 21, before the commerce committee's Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, will "examine how algorithmic decision-making and machine learning on internet platforms influence the public," says a description on the commerce committee's site. "Witnesses will provide insights on ways technology companies use algorithms and machine learning to dictate outcomes."

The subcommittee, chaired by Sen. John Thune, will also look into what policy responses should be made, such as algorithm explanation or transparency.

Google's director of user experience, Maggie Stanphill, and Walmart's former head of behavioral science, Jason Hreha, are slated to testify. Complete article


GPS in empty, stolen iPhone box leads police to Walmart theft suspects 05/15/2019

BROKEN ARROW, Okla. - A tracking device tucked into an empty cellphone box led police right to a pair of suspects accused of stealing it from a Broken Arrow Walmart.

Police said brothers Sammy and Christopher Lee walked out of a Walmart store with Beats headphones, an Xbox, speaker and an iPhone box. It amounted to over a thousand dollars in stolen merchandise.

One of the men worked on gathering the items while the other tried to distract employees, investigators said.

Police later received an alarm call from a company that monitors security for Walmart. The GPS information from the tracker was used to locate what was taken.

Not only did the iPhone box have a tracker in it, there was never a phone in the first place. Just a note that said, “hold for customer.” Complete article


Suspicious package near Jackson Mississippi Walmart rendered safe 05/13/2019

Memphis Tenn. police searching for suspects who spray painted ‘NAZI’ on vehicle in Walmart lot 05/15/2019

Women arrested for trying to shoplift hundreds of dollars of crab meat from Tenn. Walmart 05/15/2019

Catoosa Okla. police: Walmart employee accused of stealing $6,000 from safe 05/15/2019

Man hospitalized after apparent suicide attempt inside Hilton Head SC Walmart, police say 05/15/2019

Deputies responded to the Hilton Head Walmart late Monday night after an employee saw a man walking around the store cutting his wrists, according to a Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office report.

According to the report, the nature of the call was a suicide attempt.

About 11 p.m., while deputies were en route to the store, they were notified the man had a knife and was also making threats to shoot someone, the report said. Complete article


35-year-old woman found dead in Bluffton SC Target parking lot, officials say 05/11/2019

The woman found dead in the Bluffton Target parking lot Saturday night was 35-years-old and from Augusta, Debbie Youmans of the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office said Sunday afternoon.

A gunshot to the head was listed as the cause of death on a preliminary autopsy conducted by the the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, Youmans said Monday.

Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Bob Bromage said Sunday, “No information from the scene or otherwise leads us to believe there was (another) party involved.”

He said the death is an active investigation and there is no public safety threat. ....

In a separate February incident, the body of a 22-year-old Hilton Head Island man was found in a parking lot behind Target. His death was ruled a suicide, according to the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office. The cause of death was a gunshot wound. Complete article


Halsey man accused of carjacking in Eugene Oregon Walmart parking lot 05/15/2019

A Halsey man is accused of carjacking a motorist who was changing a tire in the Walmart parking lot on West 11th Avenue.

David John Coonradt, 51, was arrested Tuesday night on suspicion of first-degree robbery, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and eluding police.

He was booked into the Lane County Jail and formal charges were expected Wednesday afternoon.

At 3:04 p.m., Coonradt allegedly approached the victim, 22, and threatened him with a tool, according to Eugene police. Coonradt then allegedly stole the man’s Honda Accord, but not before the man got a photo of Coonradt. Complete article


Woman arrested after allegedly pulling knife on Okla. Walmart security officers 05/15/2019

OKLAHOMA CITY – A woman has been arrested after she allegedly pulled a knife on security officers at a grocery store.

Around 10 p.m. on May 13, Oklahoma City officers were called to the Belle Isle Walmart after learning about a shoplifter that had allegedly pulled a knife on employees.

According to the arrest affidavit, security officers told police that 37-year-old Heather Dearman was seen concealing spray paint, knives, and a padlock in her purse as she walked around the store.

Store officials say they saw Dearman walk past the registers and attempt to leave the store without paying for any of the items.

At that point, two security officers, who are off-duty Valley Brook police officers, attempted to stop her.

“When [Dearman] finally turned around she had an open folding knife in her hand,” the affidavit states. Complete article


Four face organized crime charges, accused of stealing guns and a Roomba from Tx. Walmart 05/15/2019

Three teens and a 20-year-old man are accused of engaging in organized criminal activity. Their target: Walmart.

They are accused of taking $541.72 worth of items from the Walmart at 2900 Renaissance Drive, police said.

The suspects are identified as Saul Lopez, 20; Erick Baez, 19; and Juan Flores and Victor Barragan, both 17. ....

Items taken included a smartwatch, a BB gun, a dual ammo revolver, an iRobot Roomba, and just under a case of Modelo beer, police said. Complete article


2 men wanted for questioning after assault in Florence SC Walmart parking lot 05/15/2019

FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) - Two men are wanted for questioning in Florence in connection to an assault and battery incident in the Walmart parking lot.

The Florence Police Department is seeking help identifying the two men in the attached photos.

Police said they are wanted for questioning in reference to an assault and battery in the parking lot of 2014 South Irby Street, Walmart, on May 2. Complete article


PD: Phoenix Ariz. officer charged after punching, slapping shoplifting suspect at Walmart last Dec. 05/15/2019

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) - A Phoenix police officer is being charged with aggravated assault after he was seen on video punching and slapping a shoplifting suspect while off duty at a Walmart store, police said.

Police said on Wednesday that prosecutors were moving forward with the case against Ofc. Timothy Baiardi.

Baiardi, who was working security at the megastore at 51st Avenue and Indian School Road, was seen on camera confronting 22-year-old Roger Moran on Dec. 8, 2018, after Moran took the tags off some new pants and put them on, police said.

Court documents say Moran resisted arrest, tried to escape and even grabbed Baiardi's testicles.

Baiardi then delivered two to three knee strikes to Moran's face, according to the police report. ......

He was put in the loss prevention office at the store. That's where surveillance video shows Baiardi slapping Moran in the face and scolding him for grabbing his groin, police said. The slap was so strong Moran partially fell off the bench he was sitting on, court documents said. Complete article


$1,700 missing from purse left in shopping cart at Peoria Ill. Walmart 05/16/2019

Police: Man masturbated while asking women for directions to SD Walmart 05/16/2019

If Chick-fil-A Is Homophobic, So Are Home Depot, Walmart, And Amazon 05/16/2019

Walmart in northwest Miami-Dade Fla. evacuated after bomb threat 05/16/2019

Amazon creeps into Fortune 500’s top 5 companies but can’t beat 7-year champ Walmart 05/16/2019

Columbus Nebraska Walmart shoppers help Georgia man with broken hip 05/16/2019

Do you know this person wanted in a theft at Iowa Walmart? 05/17/2019

Man caught, woman sought over shoplifting at Decatur Alabama Walmart 05/16/2019

SAPD: Men threaten Tx. Walmart employee while fleeing with stolen merchandise 05/17/2019 Incident occurred Jan. 16 at Walmart in 5550 block of De Zavala Road

Man sets himself on fire at north Alabama Walmart 05/16/2019

A man doused himself with gasoline and set himself on fire Thursday night at a north Alabama Walmart, police said.

Athens Fire and Rescue responded to a call around 6:41 p.m. Thursday that a man may have covered himself in fuel before setting himself on fire. Responders found the man outside on the northeast side of the Athens Walmart, fire officials said.

Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson said bystanders told officers the man doused himself with gasoline, ran into Walmart, came back out into the parking lot and set himself on fire. No bystanders were injured. Four police officers used fire extinguishers from their vehicles to put out the fire. Complete article

Man who set himself on fire at Athens Walmart has died 05/21/2019


Jewelry thief leaps over fruits and veggies display in Mississippi Walmart while running from police 05/16/2019

PEARL, Miss. (WLBT) - The Pearl Police Department received a call from a local jewelry store on Tuesday in reference to an elderly man who was strong-arm-robbed by a younger male.

The 78-year-old victim had a ring forcefully removed from his shirt pocket while sitting in his vehicle.

The man who stole the ring was later identified as Emmerson Alfonso Patterson of New Orleans. He then left the scene.

Patrol officers searched the area and eventually located Patterson inside Walmart. After being confronted by officers, Patterson attempted to avoid arrest by literally climbing and jumping over fruit and vegetable display units. A Patrol Sergeant was able to catch him and take him safely into custody. Complete article


Walmart says it will raise prices because of tariffs 05/16/2019

(CNN) -- Walmart, America's largest retailer, said Thursday it will raise prices on some products as a result of the Trump administration's tariffs on Chinese goods.

"We're going to continue to do everything we can to keep prices low. That's who we are. However, increased tariffs will lead to increased prices, we believe, for our customers." Walmart chief financial officer Brett Biggs told reporters on a call after the retailer reported earnings for the first quarter of 2019.

Biggs did not say which items will become more expensive at Walmart. He noted, however, that Walmart's merchant teams have been developing strategies to mitigate cost increases and working with its suppliers to manage prices. Complete article


Walmart acted on warming. Here's how it made money, too 05/17/2019 Can businesses ease the threat of climate change and be more competitive at the same time? That's the major question arising from experiments by Walmart and several environmental groups.

SC sex offender arrested after incidents at Walmart, Hardee's 05/17/2019

Man arrested for filming under a woman's dress in Fla. Walmart: Police 05/17/2019

North Jackson Tenn. Walmart evacuated after bomb threat 05/17/2019

Pensacola Fla. man accused of exposing genitals to women while riding Walmart scooter 05/17/2019

Rhinelander Wisc. police seek information on Walmart laptop thieves 05/17/2019

Fire at Ca. Walmart prompts evacuation 05/17/2019

SAN DIEGO -- Shoppers at a Walmart in Serra Mesa were forced to evacuate when a fire broke out Friday night.

The blaze started just before 9 p.m. in one of the aisles in the store located in the 3300 block of Murphy Canyon Road, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

Flames were put out by employees before firefighters arrived, but the store was evacuated due to heavy, dense smoke. No injuries were reported.

One person who was inside the store told FOX 5 that the fire started in the rug aisle and rugs and oil lamps were burning. Investigators did not confirm that information and were still looking into the cause of the blaze. Complete article


BCSO: Robertsdale Alabama Walmart reopens after bomb-threat 05/19/2019

Police: Men distracted Wisc. Walmart employee, got away with laptops worth $2K+ 05/19/2019

Police seek 'persons of interest' in Carlisle Pa. Walmart wallet theft 05/20/2019

Shooting investigation at Walmart parking lot in Kissimmee Fla. 05/19/2019

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Authorities responded to the parking lot of a Walmart in Kissimmee for reports of a shooting on Saturday evening.

Police said evidence of a shooting was found in the parking lot but no one involved was still at the scene when officers arrived.

A woman who said she was inside the Walmart at the time of the incident said after hearing four gunshots, chaos erupted inside the store.

"We hear everybody was screaming and running inside and, you know, everybody was nervous and then my husband and my mom went behind the water thing to protect ourselves," Astrid Cabrera said. Complete article

1 in custody after shooting at man in Kissimmee Walmart parking lot, police say 05/24/2019


Woman leaving north Houston Tx. Walmart hit and killed by driver in parking lot 05/18/2019

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A woman was hit and killed by a vehicle in a north Houston Walmart parking lot, according to police.

It happened shortly before 3 p.m. Saturday at the Walmart Supercenter near Fulton and Crosstimbers St.

Investigators say the woman had just walked out of the store when she was hit.

They said the driver of the vehicle stopped and was detained. She was seen being questioned at the scene. Complete article


Jacksonville NC police looking to ID people wanted in connection to Walmart larceny 05/20/2019

Deputies: Walmart clerks in Pasco Fla. marked down video games, bought them and resold for profit 05/20/2019 Two Walmart clerks are accused of defrauding their store out of about $5,000 by marking video games down to $1 and reselling them at a higher price, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.

Police look to identify man involved in peeping tom incidents at NC Walmart, Target 05/20/2019

Police seek suspect in $300 Pa. Walmart retail theft 05/20/2019

Colorado Walmart Customers Run For Cover As FBI Use Flash-Bang Grenades To Arrest Suspects 05/20/2019

NORTHGLENN, Colo. (CBS4) – The FBI Street Task Force made three arrests Monday afternoon at the Walmart Neighborhood Market near 104th Avenue and Interstate 25. Police confirm the FBI used flash bang distraction devices to make the arrests easier.

Witnesses inside the Walmart initially worried there was an active shooter inside the store. Edward Johnson told CBS4’s Dillon Thomas he heard two loud bangs followed by screaming. Many shoppers were not aware the FBI was tailing three individuals to the store at the time.

“All of a sudden all these people started running down the aisle yelling, ‘Active shooter.’ The Walmart employees herded us in the backroom and locked the door. We were in there for 15 min then they let us out,” Johnson said. “But, there were cops everywhere. Then, they started arresting a lady. It was absolutely the scariest situation I have ever witnessed.” Complete article

Active shooter false alarm causes panic at Northglenn Walmart; arrest made in parking lot 05/20/2019

..... “Someone opened the back door, which set off the alarm and even made it worse because an alarm was going off. People were yelling. One woman was crying. It was intense for 15 or 20 minutes,” Johnson told FOX31 and Channel 2.

Johnson says Walmart employees didn’t hesitate to get customers to a safe area.

“The employees start going, ‘Active shooter! Get into the back room.’ They herded us into the back room and locked the door. We were in there for maybe 15 minutes. Then they let us out and the police were at the front," Johnson said. ....

“I think it could have been really bad because the people had guns also. I could see that there was guns. I think it could have been really bad," she said.


Accused Walmart shoplifter, 18, dies in Casa Grande Ariz. jail cell 05/20/2019

CASA GRANDE, AZ (3TV/CBS5) -- Casa Grande police say a man accused of shoplifting at a Walmart has died in his detention cell.

Police say that on Saturday, May 18, the 18-year-old man was seen on store security cameras trying to use a receipt he found in the parking lot to "return" an item.

The suspect, whose name has not been released, was arrested on charges of shoplifting and fraudulent schemes.

He was brought to the Casa Grande Police Department, interviewed and then placed in a detention cell to await transport to the Pinal County Adult Detention Center for booking. Complete article


Man robs NC Walmart bank of nearly $9,000 05/20/2019

A man robbed a bank located inside the Walmart on Greenville Boulevard and made off with nearly $9,000 in cash, according to the Greenville Police Department.

The robbery took place shortly before 11:51 a.m. Sunday at Woodforest National Bank, 210 S.W. Greenville Blvd. Police are describing the robber as a black man wearing sunglasses, a black, hooded Adidas sweat shirt, dark pants and brown shoes.

A report released on Monday indicated the man stole $8,707.90. The investigation is ongoing. .....

4600 E. 10th St., 6:47 p.m. May 18: 15 grocery items, all valued at $100, stolen from Walmart; case closed/leads exhausted. ......

210 S.W. Greenville Blvd., 8:27 p.m. May 19: unspecified article of clothing valued at $10.17 stolen from Walmart; arrest made. Complete article


Road near Moraine Ohio Walmart reopens after forklift knocks down utility pole 05/21/2019

Migrating ibises visit field north of Tx. Walmart 05/22/2019

Women targeted by peeping tom taking pictures under dresses at Walmart, Target in Huntersville NC 05/20/2019

South Bismarck ND Walmart resumes normal operations after bomb threat 05/21/2019

York-area man guilty of shooting at trooper after robbing Shrewsbury Pa. Walmart 05/21/2019

Atlanta Ga. PD: Walmart crime pulling resources in a big way 05/21/2019

ATLANTA, Ga. (CBS46) The Atlanta Police Department said responding to rampant crime at the nations top retailer is taxing their resources in a big way.

Now, the Bulldog Crime Patrol is questioning if it's the best use of tax dollars and police manpower.

"Walmarts are just huge magnets for crime," said Georgia State crime analyst Dean Dabney, who took us on a driving tour by one of the Atlanta locations.

And don't just take his word for it.

"They call for a $3 theft or a $300 theft," said Deputy Chief Jeff Glazier, with the field operations division of the Atlanta Police Department.

Despite Walmart's five-year ongoing attempt at addressing things nationwide, "We have multiple shoplifting or fight calls at any store," added Glazier.

On the ground, local police departments said their resources are being pulled to a multi-billion dollar retailer more than capable of implementing its own measures to deter crime.

"Its the police departments and taxpayers that are footing the bill for all the security, because Walmart wont do it," said Glazier.

A Bulldog analysis of APD data shows, of the two Walmarts in APD's jurisdiction --one on Howell Mill Road and one on MLK Jr. drive-- 1,590 calls were made in the past year. And that's not including regular officer drop-ins that deter crime. Complete article


Sen. Bernie Sanders to Crash Walmart Annual Meeting 05/21/2019

Sen. Bernie Sanders plans to crash Walmart Inc.’s annual shareholder meeting next month, but he won’t get the VIP treatment the retailer usually extends to famous guests.

Sanders, a longtime critic of labor practices at the nation’s biggest private employer, will introduce a shareholder proposal at the June 5 meeting in Rogers, Ark., a spokeswoman for his campaign said. The proposal, which has no chance of passing, calls for Walmart to give its hourly workers a board seat.

Sanders also introduced a bill last year to improve pay and sick leave at Walmart and other large companies. He will speak as a proxy for Cat Davis, the Walmart employee who filed the latest action, according to United for Respect, a workers’ rights organization. The Vermont senator and presidential aspirant, who is originally from Brooklyn, may have little more than the proverbial New York minute to speak on workers’ behalf, however. Last year Walmart rushed through all shareholder proposals in less than half an hour.

“Walmart is trying to silence folks,” said Taylor Campbell, a spokesman for United for Respect. “We’re not anticipating that this will pass; this is more about creating a conversation on this issue.” Complete article


Suspicious activity at Lockhart Walmart was a 'misunderstanding,' police say 05/22/2019 That’s when the detective was able to confirm that the woman and the two men at the store are local business owners and were just handing out flyers pertaining their services.

Police pull 2-year-old from locked car in Ga. Walmart parking lot; father arrested 05/22/2019

Suspects sought in West Columbia SC Walmart card fraud 05/22/2019

NVCF returning $1 million donation to Walmart Foundation 05/22/2019

VIDEO: Brazen shoplifter steals nearly $800 in vodka, toilet paper from Gonzales La. Walmart 05/22/2019

4 arrested for baby formula theft at Pa. Walmart 05/22/2019

Woman accused of stealing from Walmart in Monkey Junction NC 05/22/2019

Deputies: Two arrested for public intoxication at Ky. Walmart 05/22/2019

Woman injured after being hit by car in Arkansas Walmart parking lot 05/22/2019

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - A woman is recovering after being hit by a vehicle multiple times at a Jonesboro Walmart.

According to a Facebook post by the Jonesboro Police Department, police responded to the parking lot of the Walmart on Highland Drive around 5:35 p.m. When officers arrived, they took the driver into custody for further questioning.

The victim suffered minor injuries. Complete article

Northeast Arkansas woman accused of purposely running over woman in Walmart parking lot 05/23/2019 A northeast Arkansas woman was arrested Wednesday afternoon after she purposely ran over another woman with her vehicle multiple times before choking her with a lanyard, officials said.


TPD searching for suspect in Fla. Walmart hit and run 05/23/2019

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Tallahassee police need help identifying a suspect connected to a hit and run that occurred at the Walmart on Apalachee Parkway.

TPD's Traffic Unit is investigating the hit and run incident that occurred on April 23.

Police say the suspect hit an unoccupied vehicle and fled the scene in gold/tan SUV. Complete article


Report: Man assaulted near Myrtle Beach SC Walmart; suspects steal groceries, bicycle 05/22/2019

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – Two people are in custody after police say a man was assaulted and robbed near the Seaboard Street Walmart Tuesday night.

At around 10:30 p.m., police responded to the store and met with the 60-year-old victim and a good Samaritan, who was assisting in translating, according to a Myrtle Beach police report.

The victim said a woman, identified as 28-year-old Chyna Nicole Sisk, approached him in the parking lot and asked for money. The man began to ride away on his bicycle but was followed by Sisk and another man, identified as 34-year-old Douglas Allen Brown, to another parking lot across the street from the store, the report states. Complete article


After thorough review, Kansas Walmart finds no bed bugs 05/21/2019

TOPEKA, Kan., (KSNT) - The Walmart located on 37th St street has done a thorough review of the store after receiving accusations of bed bugs.

Casey Staheli, the spokesperson for Walmart, said that management conducted a review of the store and were not able to find any bed bugs on products.

This review came after a video circulating on Facebook showed a bug in the 37th street location and accused the store of having a bed bug infestation. Complete article


Walmart hires David Searle as chief of international compliance 05/23/2019

Walmart has hired David Searle as the new international ethics and compliance officer. His first day is Tuesday (May 28).

Searle, a graduate from Stanford and Duke University Law School, comes to Walmart from the Bristow Group, an industrial aviation services company, where he served in a similar role for the past four years. Prior to Bristow, he served as director of compliance for chemical, plastics distributor Nexeo Solutions and the audit and investigations counsel for Baker Hughes.

His previous job before that was an assistant U.S. Attorney for the Department of Justice overseeing fraud, money laundering, export violations and human trafficking. Complete article

Walmart Hires Former Prosecutor for Ethics Job 05/22/2019

Struggling Houston helicopter co. files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection 05/13/2019

ALERT: Rowley Law PLLC is Investigating Proposed Acquisition of Nexeo Solutions, Inc. 09/18/2018 David Searle is part of the revolving door between government an industry, going from prosecuting fraud to defending a company accused of it, switching to another that went bankrupt before joining Walmart, which is alos implicated in one scandal after another. In other words, business as usual.

Transplace hires former Walmart executive 05/23/2019


Woman charged after incident at Iowa Walmart 05/24/2019

Body found behind Walmart in Douglas Ga. 05/23/2019

DOUGLAS, Ga. (WALB) - A body was found in a wooden area behind the Walmart off of Highway 221 in Douglas Thursday.

According to Douglas Coroner Brandon Musgrove, the body was found around 5:40 p.m.

Musgrove said it appeared to have been there for several days.

This is an active investigation and officials say they are working to identify the body. Complete article


Clinton Highway bank cased before Tenn. Walmart bank robbery? 05/23/2019

The Federal Bureau of Investigation tweeted two photos Wednesday of a man at a Clinton Highway bank ... who appears to be the same man who is believed to have robbed the bank at the Walmart in Clinton, Tenn.

‘Suspected Clinton #BankRobber may have cased bank on Clinton Highway in Knoxville prior to yesterday’s robbery. Security images show similar man inside different bank a few hours prior to robbery,’ the tweet from FBI Knoxville reads.

Jason Pack, FBI special agent/public information officer, told The Oak Ridger that the photo was captured a few hours before the 4:15 p.m. Tuesday robbery at the Ft. Sill National Bank inside the Walmart. He would not identify the Clinton Highway bank. Complete article


Man once accused in viral Macon Ga. Walmart stampede arrested after pool party goes awry 05/23/2019

A Macon man who avoided prosecution in a 2015 stampede involving 80 young people at a local Walmart was jailed earlier this week after an apparent late-night ruckus at an apartment pool.

Vashaun Chandler Rozier, 22, was arrested late Monday on a criminal trespassing charge. He posted a $650 bond hours later and was released from the Bibb County jail.

When Rozier was 18 and bound for service in the Army, he was identified as the alleged ringleader of the commotion at a Zebulon Road Walmart in the wee morning hours of June 28, 2015, when more than 80 youths rushed into the store. A trail of damaged merchandise was left behind. Complete article

Charges dropped against Walmart vandalism suspect after he joins Army 11/23/2015


Food establishment employee at a Walmart in Pasco County Fla. tested positive for Hepatitis A in January 05/23/2019

PASCO COUNTY, Fla. -- If you shop and eat at the Walmart in New Port Richey, we have a Hepatitis A warning you need to know about.

The ABC Action News I-Team just uncovered that the Walmart store at 8745 State Road 54 had an employee who worked in its food prep area test positive for the contagious virus in January.

At that time, the Department of Agriculture found improper and inadequate hand washing and glove use during their inspection.

The state also found cross contamination issues while using gloves and preparing ready to eat food along with employees not washing food contact surfaces between tasks.

The inspection report also documented no hand soap provided at the employee's hand sink and no knowledge of the store's employee health policy. Complete article


Ugg Maker Targets CVS, Walmart in Latest Boot Infringement Suits 05/23/2019

The maker of Ugg boots, which recently scored a trademark win over a small Australian rival, is now suing WalMart Stores Inc. and CVS Pharmacy Inc., among others, for allegedly stealing its intellectual property.

Deckers Outdoor Corp. said Wal-Mart, Aeropostale Inc., and RFA Group NYC LLC infringed its Bailey Button Boot trade dress and design patents, while CVS infringed the trade dress of its Yoga Sling sandals. RFA Group’s boots also infringed Deckers’ Bailey Bow design, according to the... Complete article


Homeless and sleeping at Minn. Walmart 05/23/2019

A homeless man who said the Burnsville Walmart store kicked him and the rusty sedan he sleeps in out of its parking lot Tuesday morning appealed to the City Council for help.

“I now have absolutely nowhere to sleep,” Paul Bryant said during the citizen comment portion of Tuesday night’s council meeting. “That was the last place I had.”

He said he awoke to find a pink notice taped to his car stating that overnight parking isn’t allowed and next time he’ll be towed.

Bryant said he spoke to management of the store, located on River Ridge Boulevard just east of Interstate 35W, and was told it’s the city that doesn’t allow overnight parking under the property’s zoning. Complete article


Police chief uses shopping cart to wrangle alligator at Gulfport, Mississippi Walmart 05/24/2019

Walmart crime puts a strain on Va. police departments 05/24/2019

A News 5 investigation reveals crime at Walmart is tying up local police departments.

Washington County, Virginia has two Walmart locations in it's jurisdiction. One located at Exit 7 in Bristol, Virginia and one at Exit 19 in Abingdon, Virginia.

News 5 obtained the numbers of calls that police responded to Walmart through an open records request for multiple agencies in the Tri-Cities.

In 2018, at both Washington County, Virginia locations deputies responded to 817 calls at Walmart. In comparison, in 2018 deputies responded to 127 calls at Target.

"The new Walmart at Exit 19 opened about two years ago," said Washington County Sheriff, Fred Newman. "They were open for 45 minutes when we got our first call for a shoplifter."

Washington County, Virginia is not the only one with a Walmart crime problem.

Across the state line in Tennessee, Bristol police officers responded to 913 calls to Walmart last year, including when a man was gunned down in the parking lot. Complete article


POLICE: Teller planned bank robbery at Greenville NC Walmart 05/24/2019

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN)- Police say a bank teller at a local Walmart hatched a plan with a man who's been arrested for a robbery at the store.

Greenville Police say that Greenville residents Brooklyn Simmers, 24, and Travarus Barnhill, 24, have been charged with common law robbery and conspiracy to commit common law robbery.

The robbery happened this past Sunday at the Greenville Boulevard Walmart.

Investigators say that Simmers, who was a teller at the Woodforest Bank inside the Walmart, planned the robbery with Barnhill. Complete article


LeBron James’s Partnership With Walmart Sparks Criticism 05/24/2019

The basketball superstar is trying to fight food insecurity alongside a corporation that aggravates that very problem.

LeBron James’s commitment to using his platform for the greater good is damn near beyond reproach. From the time in 2012 when he helped organize his Miami Heat teammates to pose with hoodies after the racist killing of teenager Trayvon Martin, to his wearing an “I Can’t Breathe” T-shirt during warmups to protest the police killing of Eric Garner, he has leveraged his mighty cultural capital to be more than an athlete.

LeBron has also challenged everyone from Donald Trump to the hacks on Fox News for their racism and venality. He has put his money where his politics are, even starting an educational institute for at-risk youth, the I Promise public school in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. His film production company has produced documentaries that show the importance of athlete activism, from his basketball series Shut Up and Dribble to his tremendous Muhammad Ali doc, What’s My Name? Complete article


Shoplifters walk off with nearly $2,400 in Xbox gear from Greece NY Walmart 05/25/2019 Grand larceny: Between April 3 and May 3, a Dewey Avenue Walmart employee was seen skimming cash out of her register. She reportedly stole $5,600.

Grand larceny: On May 6, three men loaded a gray tote with $2,393 in Xbox game consoles and games and left the Dewey Avenue Walmart through the garden center. Police report that store security told them about this through a delayed report.

Galt Walmart Shoplifting Leads To ID Theft And Meth Arrest 05/26/2019

MN woman convicted of stealing thousands from Walmarts, including in Eau Claire Wisc. 05/27/2019

Allen County Sheriff's Office investigates bomb threat at Ohio Walmart 05/27/2019

62-Year-Old Man Found Dead In Walmart Parking Lot In Kernersville NC 05/25/2019

KERNERSVILLE, N.C. — A 62-year-old man was found dead in the parking lot of a Kernersville Walmart Friday night.

According to the Kernersville Police Department, the man was found in a car at the Walmart located on 1130 South Main Street.

Officers found the man while conducting a welfare check of the parking lot around 9:10 p.m. Complete article


Police: Pedestrian dies after intentionally hit at SD Walmart 05/28/2019

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — Police say an intoxicated driver intentionally struck and killed a pedestrian in a Walmart parking lot in Rapid City.

The 48-year-old woman is being held on possible charges of first-degree murder and driving under the influence. Authorities say the crash happened shortly before 1 p.m. Sunday. First responders found the victim unresponsive in the parking lot. The victim was taken to Rapid City Regional Hospital and pronounced dead.

Police say the driver struck a tree after hitting the pedestrian. Witnesses told investigators say the woman intentionally struck the victim. Complete article


Knox County Tenn. prosecutor's 'Walmart burglary' policy draws state Supreme Court review 05/27/2019

Is there such a thing under Tennessee law as a Walmart burglary? Should there be? Who should decide?

Nearly three years after Knox County District Attorney General Charme Allen launched a controversial policy of charging petty thieves who shoplift at least twice from Walmart with felony burglary charges, the Tennessee Supreme Court is stepping in to answer those questions.

In a rare move, the high court also is inviting legal debate in the run-up to its decision, a nod to the far-reaching effects the outcome could have for defendants and taxpayers across Tennessee and — if Allen’s initiative passes legal muster — the nation.

Punishment for shoplifting vs. burglary

Under current law, it's a misdemeanor — punishable up to a year in jail — to shoplift less than $1,000 in merchandise from a retailer. Burglary, on the other hand, is a felony with a penalty range of three years in prison for a first-time offender to 12 years in the case of a defendant with a prior criminal history. Felons also lose their right to vote and carry weapons.

As shoplifting has climbed in the wake of the nation’s opioid epidemic, retailers led by Walmart have in the past several years pushed state legislatures for tougher penalties across the nation as a means to curb it. Complete article


KPD: Vehicle stolen from Chapman Highway Tenn. Walmart along with a 10-year-old girl inside (False alarm) 05/25/2019

KNOXVILLE, Tenn (WATE) - Knoxville Police Department earlier responded to a false report that a vehicle was stolen from the Walmart on Chapman Highway while a 10-year-old girl was inside.

KPD officers were able to locate the car and the girl at a nearby store.

Around 11:26 a.m. KPD responded to a call at the Walmart on Chapman Highway where a woman's car was stolen along with her daughter inside.

KPD interviewed a witness who gave inaccurate information that a male entered and stole the vehicle with the child screaming in it.

Throughout the investigation the car was found at another nearby store by officers. The woman forgot that she had previously moved it. The child was unharmed. Complete article


Lamborghini, SUV Go Up In Flames At NC Walmart Gas Station 05/25/2019

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — A Lamborghini car and SUV caught on fire at a Walmart gas station Saturday on Western Boulevard in Jacksonville.

According to CBS affiliate WNCT, City of Jacksonville spokesman Glen Hargett confirmed a call came in around 1:10 p.m. about a Lamborghini on fire at the gas station.

Jacksonville Police say the driver of the Lamborghini was pumping gas when some spilled, causing the fire.

As a result, the car next to the Lamborghini, which appeared to be an SUV, also caught fire. Complete article


Chicopee Mass. police respond to report of man with gun at Walmart, turns out to be BB pistol just purchased at the store 05/27/2019

CHICOPEE — Police, responding to a report of a man loading a firearm in the bathroom at Walmart on Sunday, discovered he had just purchased the weapon, a CO2-powered BB gun, at the store.

Public information officer Michael Wilk, posting on the department’s Facebook page, said responding officers found packaging for the BB gun in the bathroom and later found the man in one of the store aisles with it tucked into his waistband.

The BB gun resembled a real handgun, right down to its “bullets” which contain BBs, Wilk said.

“Thankfully, no one was hurt in this incident.,” Wilk wrote in the post. “We took it, repackaged and bagged it, and advised him how extremely dangerous for not only him, but other customers and police officers, his actions were. Kudos to the staff at Walmart for calling and keeping an eye on this person till we arrived. They did a great job.” Complete article


‘Snake charmer’ was ‘only bit once’ while removing snake from Walmart carts, TX cops say 05/27/2019

A Walmart cart attendant was collecting shopping carts from the return area when the employee’s “loud scream” was heard by an officer across the parking lot, police said.

That scream was prompted by a “large rat snake” that slithered its way into a couple shopping carts, the Northeast Police Department posted to Facebook.

A photo from the department, which serves Krugerville and Cross Roads in Denton County, shows the snake tangled between two Walmart shopping carts.

The officer who heard the scream went to check on the employee at about dusk on May 25, according to the post.

The officer then “enlisted the help of John Heckaman, a ‘snake charmer,’ to relocate the snake” from the Cross Roads Walmart, WFAA reported. That’s about 45 miles north of Dallas.

Heckaman, of Savannah, Texas, “was only bit once” while helping move the snake away from the carts, police said on Facebook. Complete article


Walmart Sued For Selling Homeopathic ‘Snake Oil’ 05/28/2019

In a rare move, Walmart, the largest U.S. retailer, has been sued for medical fraud. The Center for Inquiry (CFI), a nonprofit whose mission is to “defend science and critical thinking in examining religion” alleges in a lawsuit filed in the District of Columbia on May 20 that the superstore is “committing wide-scale consumer fraud and endangering the health of its customers though its sale and marketing of homeopathic medicines.” This is similar to a suit the same nonprofit brought against CVS, the largest U.S. drug retailer, in June 2018.

Homeopathic medicine, or homeopathy, rests on the premise that the body can cure itself. Those who practice it believe microscopic amounts of natural substances can stimulate natural healing. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, an estimated 5 million adults and 1 million children used homeopathy in the past year. Most homeopathic oils, creams, tablets, and gels are self-administered and self-prescribed for ailments such as the common cold, migraines, allergies, and bodily pain. ......

Alternative remedies have long been contentious as substitutes for evidence-based medication. In this case, CFI asserts that Walmart knowingly presented homeopathy like stress relief and cold and flu products as equal remedies, both in store and online. But CFI is not seeking to have products removed from shelves, but that Walmart labels its products accurately.

“Walmart sells homeopathics right alongside real medicines, in the same sections in its stores, under the same signs,” said Nick Little, a CFI vice president and lawyer. “Searches on its website for cold and flu remedies or teething products for infants yield pages full of homeopathic junk products. It’s an incredible betrayal of customers’ trust and an abuse of Walmart’s titanic retail power.” Complete article

Walmart And Homeopathic Medicines 05/25/2019 NPR's Scott Simon asks Nicholas Little of the Center for Inquiry about suing Walmart for the way it markets homeopathic medicines.


Police: Man stole from Michigan Walmart 3 times in a day 05/28/2019

Suspects of string of thefts at Oro Valley Ariz. Walmart sought 05/28/2019

Walmart in Fort Smith Arkansas puts up flood barriers 05/28/2019

Police: Woman hid in car trunk after shoplifting from Clayton NC Walmart 05/29/2019 The merchandise was worth $16.83.

Cleveland man arrested for stealing air hose from Walmart: Brooklyn Ohio Police Blotter 05/28/2019

5 people charged after Walmart armed robbery in Florence SC 05/28/2019

FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – Four people are under arrest, accused of an armed robbery at Walmart. A fifth suspect is wanted and still on the loose.

It happened at the Walmart on Irby Street in Florence on May 12 just before midnight, according to police.

According to a news release from the Florence Police Department, two people came into the Walmart with a gun and forced an employee to turn over money from the register. Those suspects then jumped into a get-away car that was waiting outside. Officers say they identified and obtained warrants for five suspects charged with armed robbery. Complete article


Police looking to identify man who attacked 79-year-old woman at Hermitage Tenn. Walmart 05/28/2019

HERMITAGE, Tenn. (WKRN) - Police are looking to identify the suspect who physically attacked and robbed a 79-year-old woman in the parking lot of a Hermitage Walmart last week.

Police said the victim was walking to her car at 1 p.m. when a dark sedan with tinted windows, possibly a Nissan, and a temporary tag pulled up beside her. The suspect asked to use her cell phone.

According to a release, the woman told the suspect she didn't have a cell phone and he drove away but returned moments later. He got out of the car and shoved the woman to the ground. He took her purse and fled in the sedan. Complete article


Man robs bank in Kingsport Tenn. Walmart 05/28/2019

KINGSPORT — A robber made away with thousands of dollars after threatening to “kill everybody” at a bank inside Walmart. Shortly before 1 p.m. on Friday, Kingsport police responded to FSNB, 2500 W. Stone Drive. According to a teller, a white male handed over a manilla envelope and stated, “I need to make a deposit.”

Attached to the envelope was a note indicating that he was robbing the bank, according to Kingsport Police Department records. The suspect also allegedly said, “I have a gun and I’ll kill everybody.”

The teller emptied her drawer into the envelope, returned it to the robber, and he walked out of the store. Authorities believe the suspect left the parking lot in a vehicle with out-of-state tags. Complete article

FBI investigating after bank inside Kingsport Walmart robbed last week 05/30/2019


Walmart Hires Former Google, Amazon Exec for New Tech Role 05/28/2019

NEW YORK — Walmart has hired a tech veteran whose resume includes stints at Amazon, Microsoft and Google for a newly elevated position of chief technology officer and chief development officer.

Suresh Kumar, who was most recently at Google as its vice president and general manager of display, video, app ads and analytics, will report directly to Walmart's CEO Doug McMillon.

The moves come as Walmart is trying to compete better with Amazon and other technology companies.

Walmart Inc.'s former chief technology officer Jeremy King left the company in March to join Pinterest. The retailer emphasized that Kumar is not a replacement for King but rather assumes a much larger global role and will set the company's technical strategy. King had reported to Walmart's U.S e-commerce chief Marc Lore. Complete article


Jennings La. officers searching suspects in Walmart theft cases 05/28/2019

Jasper Ind. police try to identify man in connection with Walmart theft 05/28/2019

EPD arrest man for indecent exposure after incident at Ind. Walmart 05/28/2019

Wauseon Ohio Walmart employee, former nurse, Liberty Center resident saves mans life 05/29/2019

Camera catches man stealing 2 TVs from Conn. Walmart 05/29/2019

Denham Springs man accused of taking photos up women’s skirts at La. Walmart 05/29/2019

Police: Two people took cart filled with items from Lower Allen Pa. Walmart 05/30/2019

Spring Hill Tenn. police report local Walmart shoplifters 05/29/2019

Crime Stoppers: Shoplifter pulls knife on store security at Huntsville Alabama Walmart 05/29/2019

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) - Huntsville police are looking for an accused shoplifter.

Police say on Jan. 20, the man was at the Sparkman Drive Walmart where he stuffed several pieces of clothing under his jacket. He tried to play it cool as he walked past the registers. Yet, before he could leave the store, he was confronted by a loss prevention officer.

Police say the man threw one of the stolen shirts on the floor, pulled out a knife, showed it to the officer, then took off. Complete article


Walmart sues poultry industry for price collusion, omits Tyson Foods, Simmons & George’s 05/29/2019

Walmart Inc. has filed suit against the U.S. poultry industry for alleged price collusion and violation of antitrust laws. Essentially the entire poultry processing industry was named as defendants in the suit filed May 24 in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas.

Tyson Foods, Simmons Foods and George’s Inc. and Northwest Arkansas based businesses that each serve Walmart on some level were omitted from the suit which does name all their competitors such as Pilgrim’s Pride, Sanderson Farms, OK Foods, Koch Foods, Perdue Farms, Peco Foods and Wayne Farms along with seven other U.S. chicken companies.

The 98-page complaint seeks judgments against the defendants for an amount to be determined at trial. The retail giant is also asking defendants to pay the plaintiff’s legal fees and litigation costs as the law provides. The complaint claims the chicken industry shared confidential information and conspired to destroy flocks, close plants, and cut back on production overall to raise chicken prices as much as 50% during a 10-year period from the cyclical lows of 2008.

Talk Business & Politics asked Walmart why they omitted Tyson, Simmons and George’s from the suit as Tyson is named throughout the argument within the report as being complicit with the price-fixing having reached illegal agreements and restraining trade between 2008 and 2015.

“Like dozens of other retailers and wholesalers, we filed suit objecting to anti-competitive behavior of poultry suppliers. By filing a complaint separate from the class action that began in 2016, we believe we can best protect our business and our customers from artificially increased costs. For more than 50 years, we’ve focused on giving our customers great deals with an everyday low-cost mindset that is core to who we are,”

“To your question on other parties, we aren’t discussing details of the litigation other than to refer you to the claims in our complaint,” said Walmart corporate spokesman Randy Hargrove. Complete article


Walmart is quietly closing stores — here's the full list 05/29/2019

Walmart is closing or has already closed at least 15 stores across 10 US states and Canada.

The stores include Walmart Supercenters in Dallas and Lafayette, Louisiana, as well as Walmart Neighborhood Market stores in Arizona, California, Kansas, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington.

The closing date for most of the affected stores was April 19, according to employees of those stores, who confirmed the closings to Business Insider. A store in Bedford, New Hampshire, is expected to close in June.

Walmart representatives previously confirmed the closings to various local media outlets but did not immediately return Business Insider's request for comment. Complete article


Rochester man accused of flashing minor at Pa. Walmart 05/28/2019

Man stole more than $10,000 worth of tobacco products from Walmart, West Palm Fla. police say 05/29/2019

TPD: 2 arrested for March armed robbery at Ariz. Walmart 05/30/2019

Gloversville NY Walmart evacuated after store device mistaken for gun 05/30/2019

Deputies: Two women threatened victim at gunpoint in Fla. Walmart parking lot 05/31/2019

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Deputies are searching for two women who threatened a victim at gunpoint in a local Walmart parking lot.

According to the Leon County Sheriff's Office, two women were involved in an incident at the Walmart on North Monroe Street on May 16.

Deputies say one of the suspects retrieved a handgun and threatened a victim in the Walmart parking lot. Complete article


2 Men Accused Of Robbing 70-Year-Old Woman At Quincy Mass. Walmart 05/30/2019

QUINCY (CBS) – Quincy Police want to question two men accused of knocking a 70-year-old woman to the ground and stealing her cellphone, credit cards and cash. “I can’t believe someone would do something like that. That’s like somebody robbing me. I’m 70 years old,” said Bruce Meehan of Hull, who was surprised to learn about the attack.

The older woman was visiting the Quincy Walmart Saturday evening, when the two men attacked her. Elizabeth Kerfien of Quincy told WBZ, “I’m a little nervous it would happen here. I’m here all the time with my kids.”

Hours later, the two men were captured on surveillance video using the woman’s stolen credit cards and operating a U-Haul truck. Investigators hope someone will recognize them. Complete article


Cashier accused of stealing $14k from Tenn. Walmart store 05/30/2019

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Police say 23 year old Cassandra Carter stole $14,243 from the Walmart on Raleigh Lagrange Road in Northeast Memphis. She's accused of pocketing money from the register over and over.

Police say the store's loss prevention officer got suspicious after Carter's register came up short in funds a number of times in recent weeks. Investigators say he then caught her on surveillance video stuffing cash from the register into her pocket or into a bag, sometimes while she pretended to throw something away.

Police say Carter admitted to stealing the money and told officers she needed it to buy a car, turn her utilities on, and buy things for her children.

"You know, stealing is stealing," customer Malcolm Green says. Complete article


Woman sues NC Walmart after slipping on blueberries, causing ‘unbearable pain’ 05/30/2019

A federal judge in Charlotte will hear the case of a woman who sued Walmart after she slipped on blueberries and fell on her back in a North Carolina Walmart Superstore in 2016, causing ”unbearable pain,” according to her lawsuit.

Jacqueline Reid originally filed the lawsuit in Anson County Superior Court in November. The Walmart where she tumbled backward to the floor is in Wadesboro, the Anson County seat.

Walmart lawyers later requested the case be transferred to federal court, and on May 23 the lawsuit was reassigned to U.S. Magistrate Judge David Keesler, court records show. Complete article


WFPD: Woman attempted to steal toothbrushes from Tx. Walmart 05/30/2019

Athens Couple Busted at Pa. Walmart in Heroin Investigation 05/31/2019

Walmart and Wisc. city settle dark store lawsuit 05/30/2019 Ashland and Walmart have settled a lawsuit filed by Walmart that alleged the tax assessment on its Ashland Supercenter was too high. Under the terms of the settlement, Walmart will be refunded about 5% of its tax assessment for the past three years.

Fernandina Beach Fla. Police searching for two men who reportedly shoplifted several items from Walmart 05/31/2019

Mattoon Ill. Walmart briefly locked down during police investigation Friday 05/31/2019

Ponchatoula La. police: No active-shooter situation at Walmart, 1 in custody 05/31/2019

PONCHATOULA, La. — The Ponchatoula Police Department clarified concerns Friday after a report of an active shooter at a Walmart store.

According to the Police Department, a detective saw a woman inside the Walmart using narcotics and confronted her about the situation.

The detective was made aware that the woman, identified as Desiree Musachia, 29, of Oklahoma, had an active warrant for her arrest in Livingston Parish for resisting an officer.

According to the report, Musachia began to struggle with the officer, then ran away into the Subway restaurant inside the Walmart.

The Police Department said Musachia pulled a knife and began harming herself and threatened the officer.

The department's report said that the officer drew his weapon, and with the assistance of the Hammond Police Department, shot Musachia with a stun gun before taking her into custody. Complete article


Bank inside Shelbyville Ind. Walmart robbed 05/31/2019

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. (WISH) -- A bank inside the city's Walmart Supercenter was robbed Friday morning, Shelbyville Police Department said.

The robbery happened about 10:35 a.m. at the Woodforest National Bank. The Walmart is at 2500 Progress Parkway on the city's east side.

Police said in a news release that a male advised the teller "this was robbery." The teller complied, and the male left the bank and headed into the parking lot. Complete article


Windows smashed, items stolen from 9 cars near Walmart in Jupiter 05/31/2019

JUPITER, Fla. — Police are investigating a series of car burglaries near a Walmart in Jupiter on Friday.

Officers responded to the scene on Indiantown Road near I-95 around 10 a.m.

Police said nine cars in and around the Walmart, located at 2144 W. Indiantown Road, were broken into. Each vehicle had a window smashed and items inside stolen. Complete article


Walmart in Geneva NY evacuated after bomb threat; employee arrested 05/31/2019

Police: 2 stole air conditioners from Pa. Walmart, fled officers 05/31/2019

Woman pleads guilty to stealing from Albert Lea Minn. Walmart 05/31/2019 Ann Marie Malay, 51 of Albert Lea, was arrested in February and charged with two counts of felony theft. Albert Lea police say Malay took money out of the cash register while she was working at Walmart, taking between $20 and $320 at a time over a month and a half. Court documents state the total amount stolen was $1,640.



1 comment:



  1. Do that trip and you will have seen two of the West's greatest icons in ways in which would make Indiana Jones jealous.
    helicopter rides houston

    ReplyDelete