FAYETTEVILLE, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A Fayette County man is facing charges after Walmart investigators alleged he carried out a months-long scheme involving self-checkout ticket switching and under-ringing merchandise, resulting in more than $1,700 in unpaid items being taken from the Fayetteville store.
According to a report filed by law enforcement, officers were contacted on June 4 by Walmart Asset Protection Associate Daniel Meadows regarding an ongoing shoplifting investigation at the Fayetteville Walmart.
Meadows told authorities he began reviewing surveillance footage after noticing a customer who frequently used self-checkout registers and appeared to be engaging in suspicious transactions.
The investigation allegedly revealed a pattern of thefts dating back to April 14.
According to Walmart’s findings, the suspect, identified as Everett Baker, repeatedly selected expensive LEGO sets and then scanned barcodes from much cheaper LEGO products at self-checkout stations before leaving the store with the higher-priced merchandise.
Investigators said the first documented incident occurred on April 14 when Baker allegedly scanned a $9.97 LEGO barcode while purchasing a LEGO set valued at $59.97. Asset Protection personnel later identified Baker through the payment card used during the transaction and social media research.
As the investigation expanded, Walmart reviewed surveillance footage and transaction records from multiple shopping trips.
Authorities allege Baker carried out similar transactions on April 23, May 6, May 8, May 11, May 14, May 27, May 30 and June 2. During those visits, he allegedly used the same two low-priced LEGO barcodes—priced at $9.97 and $27.97—to purchase much more expensive sets ranging in value from approximately $50 to $200.
In one instance, investigators claim Baker scanned a $27.97 LEGO set while taking home a set valued at approximately $180. In another, he allegedly scanned a $9.97 barcode and left with a LEGO set worth about $150.
The report states that Baker often scanned the remainder of his shopping cart correctly and paid for other merchandise, allegedly helping conceal the thefts.
Investigators also documented other incidents involving merchandise unrelated to LEGO products.
On May 13, Baker allegedly scanned only one of two surge protectors before bagging both. On May 27, he allegedly concealed an item beneath a package of vanilla wafers and scanned only the lower-priced item. On May 31, investigators claim he failed to scan a Starbucks coffee product and a can of corned beef hash before leaving the store.
According to Walmart Asset Protection, Baker entered the Fayetteville store 12 separate times between April 14 and June 2 and removed a total of $1,700.13 worth of unpaid merchandise.
The report alleges that nearly all of the incidents followed the same pattern, with Baker repeatedly using the same low-cost LEGO barcodes to purchase significantly more expensive sets.
The investigation was turned over to law enforcement, and charges are being pursued in connection with the alleged thefts.
The incidents occurred at the Walmart store in Fayetteville, Fayette County, West Virginia.
