Mom wanted for shoplifting; trying to run over store employee, turns self in
A West Michigan mother accused of stealing from an area store and then trying to run over the store employee has turned herself into police.Police in Lowell say this is the second time the woman, who has not yet been identified, has been caught stealing from the store before.
When confronted by store employees, the suspect allegedly ran out of the store with her two toddlers. She nearly ran over a store employee who presumably was trying to stop her. Police believe the suspect was last seen driving a tan or pewter colored Buick four door car, possibly a Regal. [Source: Fox17 News]
Two arrested in alleged credit card scam
Township police have arrested two people accused in a credit card scam Sunday. Richard Dilday Wright, 31, of Bristol, and Krystal Long, 31, Wilkes-Barre, used fake credit cards to defraud Target, authorities allege. According to criminal complaints, police were notified by Target’s store loss prevention team that someone was using fake or stolen cards to purchase items.
The suspect, later identified as Wright, attempted to use three different credit cards to purchase $413 of Visa gift cards. The loss prevention associate lost Wright when he drove off in a blue Kia Sorrento. Police found the car in the Best Buy parking lot.
Officers in an unmarked car later conducted a traffic stop. Wright and a passenger, later identified as Long, tried to conceal something in the passenger glove compartment. An officer asked Long if she had been shopping at Target. She yelled back “yes.” Long later asked why their vehicle was pulled over. The officer told her one of the credit cards she used was flagged. Long provided the officer with the three cards in question after he asked for them. The officer immediately identified two of the cards as fake. [Source: Times Leader]
Publix donates more than $1M to Hurricane Florence
After announcing an in-store campaign to help those affected by Hurricane Florence, Publix has donated more than $800,000 to the American Red Cross for disaster relief. This amount comes after Publix Charities previously announced its $250,000 donation to the American Red Cross and United Way’s relief efforts for the affected areas.
“Thanks to the generosity of our customers and associate, we are able to help victims recover from the devastation left by Hurricane Florence,” Maria Brous, Publix director of media and community relations, said. “It is our privilege to do what we can to help those affected by the storm.”
The amount donated by Publix was raised through a program that allowed shoppers to donate any amount desired by adding it to their grocery totals when checking out at the retailer’s registers. [Source: Drug Store News]
Suspect in armed robbery arrested
Police have arrested a Kentucky man accused of robbing a Lexington retail store last month, and threatening an employee with a knife. James Oakley was taken into custody just before 2:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon in Bourbon County.
According to his arrest citation, the robbery happened on the afternoon of Sept.17, at the TJ Maxx on West Lowry Lane. Police say an employee tried to stop Oakley from leaving the store with merchandise, that’s when Oakley allegedly pulled out a pocket knife. Police later released surveillance footage to the public, and followed up on tips to make the arrest. Oakley is charged with first-degree robbery. [Source: LEX18]
Counterfeit merchandise seized during police raid
Three women got caught trying to steal almost $3,000 worth of makeup from the College Station, Texas, JCPenney. Police say Doina Rafaila, Georgiana Mihalace-Rafaila, and Florentina Lonita entered the store around 2:30 Tuesday afternoon. The loss prevention manager said he saw the three women make their way to the makeup counter. He said one of the women started grabbing merchandise and hiding it in the waistband of her skirt. The other two women were trying to hide her from view during the theft. The group was caught in the parking lot after walking out of the store with over 150 items. All three women are being charged with felony theft of property. [Source: Neon.com]
Retailer sued over use of customer data online
Two Walmart customers are suing the retail giant over allegations that it knowingly disclosed their personal information, including their Facebook accounts and purchase information, without their consent when they bought video content on walmart.com, according to California Superior Court documents shared by Bloomberg Law.
Alicia Cappello and Catherine Mosqueda filed a class action suit alleging violations of US and California codes pertaining to privacy around obtaining video materials, according to the filing. Walmart supplied their data to Facebook using “an advertising tool called a Facebook pixel on its retail website,” according to their complaint.
In an interview with Retail Dive, Walmart spokesperson Randy Hargrove said it was difficult to comment on the complaint because the company had just received it. “We take our customers’ privacy seriously,” he said. “We are reviewing the allegations and will respond as appropriate with the court.” [Source: RetailDIVE]
