PRINCETON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Kroger employee in Princeton, West Virginia, has been arrested for allegedly embezzling nearly $15,000 from the grocery store over the course of more than a year.
On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, Detective S. M. Severt of the Princeton Police Department responded to the Kroger location at 1229 Stafford Drive after receiving an embezzlement complaint. According to Kroger’s Asset Protection Specialists, the accused, identified as Mr. Williams Stone, is suspected of fraudulently applying unauthorized discounts to purchases at the self-checkout register.
An internal investigation by Kroger reportedly uncovered that the scheme began in November 2023. A company analyst flagged financial discrepancies, leading to a review of store surveillance footage. The footage allegedly showed Mr. Stone assisting a female customer by applying illegitimate “manufacturer discount coupons” that did not exist. The total loss in groceries tied to this particular customer amounted to $14,874.41.
When confronted by Kroger’s Asset Protection team, Mr. Stone provided a voluntary written statement admitting to adjusting coupons for a customer who did not possess valid discounts. In his statement, he estimated that over time, the unauthorized discounts amounted to approximately $12,000. He acknowledged that his actions were against Kroger’s policies and accepted responsibility.
Following Kroger’s internal investigation, Detective Severt received the case documents and placed Mr. Stone under arrest. He was transported to the Princeton Police Department, where he was read his Miranda rights and interviewed. Mr. Stone reportedly admitted to the theft and was subsequently processed according to departmental procedures.
He is currently being held in jail awaiting arraignment. Authorities have not yet disclosed whether additional charges will be filed or if other individuals were involved.
