Police say they have broken up a shoplifting ring targeting a New York Walmart store.
It happened on Christmas Eve in the Buffalo suburb of Clarence.
State Police say that Walmart officials had been investigating an ongoing scheme at the supercenter store on Transit Road.
Walmart said that several of its employees were "under-scanning" or "under-ringing" merchandise, to allow accomplices to go through the check-out lines and leave the store without paying for numerous items in their shopping bags.
They say employees were also activating gift cards when customers would purchase them but then keep the card and give the unsuspecting customer an unactivated card.
Evelyn Smith, 26, is under arrest on felony grand larceny charges. Police say she under-scanned merchandise and also posed as a customer and left the store with under-canned merchandise going through the cashier line of another member of the ring.
Tacara Lawrence, 21, faces felony grand larceny charges for under-scanning merchandise.
Dewayne Harrell, 22, was arrested on larceny charges for allegedly gift card theft.
Latasha Morrow, 19, was arrested on larceny charges. She is accused of leaving the Walmart store with merchandise that was initially scanned and then voided by a cashier involved with the ring.
Walmart estimated the suspects were responsible for $7,000 worth of theft. Police say the investigation is still ongoing and other arrests are expected.
The four will appear on a later date in a Clarence courtroom.
Saturday, May 25 2013 10:52 PM EDT2013-05-26 02:52:40 GMT
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel congratulated the cadets at West Point's commencement ceremony Saturday, but warned them they have a tough road ahead. He praised how far the military has come
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel congratulated the cadets at West Point's commencement ceremony Saturday, but warned them they have a tough road ahead. He praised how far the military has come
Friday, May 24 2013 6:09 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:09:59 GMT
New York State has 17,000 highway bridges. There are some bad ones. The Tappan Zee Bridge, for example, is set to be replaced because of aging infrastructure.
New York State has 17,000 highway bridges. There are some bad ones. The Tappan Zee Bridge, for example, is set to be replaced because of aging infrastructure.
Authorities say police divers will be back in the Hudson River to resume the search for a man who went into the water while fishing from an Albany-area dock.
Authorities say police divers will be back in the Hudson River to resume the search for a man who went into the water while fishing from an Albany-area dock.
Friday, May 24 2013 12:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 16:50:33 GMT
County sheriffs have asked to join the federal lawsuit challenging New York's tough new gun restrictions, calling some provisions vague and impossible to enforce fairly.
County sheriffs have asked to join the federal lawsuit challenging New York's tough new gun restrictions, calling some provisions vague and impossible to enforce fairly.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:50:04 GMT
Heavy downpours sparked flash flooding across the tristate area on Thursday. The National Weather Service issued numerous weather alerts for many counties in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Heavy downpours sparked flash flooding across the tristate area on Thursday. The National Weather Service issued numerous weather alerts for many counties in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:08:29 GMT
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
A bus chaperone is accused of going on a profanity-laced tirade towards a group of 12 and 13-year-olds and a piece of candy may be what started the incident.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:15 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:15:21 GMT
An Army soldier has been charged with secretly photographing and videotaping women at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, including in a bathroom.
An Army soldier has been charged with secretly photographing and videotaping women at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, including in a bathroom.
