Woman banned from every US Walmart store accused of self-checkout scam, police say

USA Today

13-02-2025

A Memphis woman banned from every Walmart in the U.S. was arrested earlier this week after she allegedly used a self-checkout scam to shoplift packs of ramen noodles and other items from one of the retailer's stores, according to police.
A Memphis police officer wrote in an affidavit, which was obtained by USA TODAY, that the 37-year-old woman was charged with criminal trespass and theft of merchandise of less than $1,000. The woman, who the officer said is a "known shoplifter," was arrested at a South Memphis Walmart location on Feb. 10 around 3:44 p.m., according to the court document.
The woman is on the Authorization of Agency (AoA) list, and therefore is "not to be at any Walmart location in the United States due to prior shoplifting encounters," according to the affidavit. An AoA list for trespass is a legal document where a property owner formally authorizes law enforcement agencies to take action against individuals found trespassing on their property, including arresting them.
'We value our customers and associates and want them to have a pleasant shopping experience. Though rare, there are instances when someone is no longer welcome in our stores,' Walmart said in a statement obtained by WREG.
A company spokesperson said they are working on providing a statement when contacted by USA TODAY on Thursday.
What was the woman accused of doing at the Walmart?
A witness in the Walmart told the police officer she saw two women "stealing from the store," the affidavit reads.
The woman banned from the store was caught on a Walmart camera using an old watch barcode battery to scan all her items for $1 while using the self-checkout machine, the police officer wrote in the affidavit. During the fraudulent transaction, the woman stole 11 packs of ramen noodles, a pair of women's boots, blue jeans and a T-shirt for a total of $137.34, the affidavit reads.
The other woman who allegedly participated in the scam stole a backpack, two bras, a lash kit and an automotive accessory that all together cost $57.86, according to the affidavit. She received a misdemeanor citation for theft of property, the court document continued.
Court documents: Not her first time shoplifting
According to Shelby County court records, the banned woman was found guilty of shoplifting at a Circle K store in Memphis on April 22, 2024. The convenience store's clerk told police that the woman stole $33 worth of items, including four sandwiches, two slushies, one bag of chips and a can of cheese dip, an affidavit filed on May 9, 2024, says.
The store clerk identified the woman out of a six-person photographic lineup, and she was subsequently charged with theft of merchandise less than $1,000, according to the affidavit.
Other Shelby County court records accessed by USA TODAY show the woman was also found guilty of stealing $502 worth of items from a Nordstrom Rack in February 2023; $381.25 worth of items from a Dicks Sporting Goods in November 2021; $281.12 worth of items from a Walmart in December 2019; and $32.64 worth of items from a CVS in November 2019.