Shoplifting ring busted at Walmart

CLARENCE, N.Y. (WIVB) - New York State Troopers arrested four suspects based on an investigation into a shoplifting ring at the Walmart store on Transit Road in Clarence.

Walmart officials from the store had been gathering evidence that several of their employees were involved in a scheme of "under-scanning" merchandise.  This allowed their accomplices to go through the check-out lines and leave the store without paying for some of their items.

In another scam, some cashiers would activate a gift card for a customer but keep it themselves, swapping the card for another that was not activated.

Arrested on Christmas Eve were Evelyn Smith, 26, of Buffalo; Tacara Lawrence, 21, of Buffalo; Dewayne Harrell, 22, of Buffalo; and Latasha M. Morrow, 19, of Buffalo.  Smith and Lawrence were arrested for Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree.  Together they are charged with stealing over $5,000 in merchandise.

Harrell and Morrow were charged with Petit Larceny.  Harrell is suspected of stealing two activated gift cards.  Morrow is suspected of leaving the store with merchandise totaling close to $300 that was scanned, but then voided, by another member of the shoplifting ring.
Walmart management estimates that these employees are responsible for loss of over $7,000 from the store.

All of the subjects will appear on a later date in the Town of Clarence Court to answer the charges.