Dad’s kids helped duo steal nearly $9,000 in merchandise
Evendale, Ohio, police have arrested two people accused of stealing nearly $9,000 worth of layaway items from an area Walmart. Police say Jayson Pedroza and Christina Beavan had Pedroza’s children in tow when they took the items from the Cunningham Drive store. Both children are not old enough to get a learner’s permit.
It happened just before midnight Oct. 17, but the surveillance video was only recently released. Pedroza and Beavan have been charged with burglary, theft, and contributing to juvenile unruliness. Police said Pedroza and Beavan broke the lock to the gated door into the lawn and garden area allowing them to leave the store with the stolen goods. Store surveillance cameras show Pedroza and his young son in the lawn and garden area near the layaways.
A cabinet that holds numerous layaway items was allegedly broken into, authorities said. Court records say Beavan met Pedroza and his son at the door and they loaded a vehicle before taking off. Police said they grabbed several laptops, tablets, and cameras. Court records indicate they’re worth about $8,995. Both adults involved are currently in jail awaiting trial. It’s not clear at this point who has custody of the children or if they will face charges. [Source: Wave3 News]
Scammers using police dispatch lines to steal credit card info
Police put out a warning to residents of Punta Gorda, Florida, letting people know about a new phone scam. This time, callers are targeting phones using one of the police department’s dispatch lines, a legitimate number, with a scammer on the other end asking for credit card information. “Most scammers use internet phone numbers which allows them pretty much to do anything that they want. They can make calls look like they’re coming from anywhere,” said Lt. Dylan Renz with the Punta Gorda Police Department.
Renz said don’t trust your caller I.D. Instead, if you think a call may be suspicious, hang up and contact the company or government agency it may have come from. Renz also said it’s important to never give out your personal information over the phone or computer. [Source: NBC2 News]
Nordstrom shoppers can pick up gifts before doors open this holiday season
Nordstrom shoppers will be able to pick up gifts before stores open their doors this holiday season – and sometimes even in the middle of the night – as the retailer ramps up convenience to compete with its rivals. From December 3 through Christmas Eve, Nordstrom is offering “early bird” pick up, enabling shoppers who check off their gift lists by clicking a button to get their presents starting at 8 am. Though the stores will still be closed, staffers will bring the items out to the curb. And for those shoppers who want to make a midnight run, Nordstrom is bringing back its round-the-clock curbside service at 23 locations. That means customers can head to one of those stores at any time of the day or night between December 16 and 24 to pick up an online purchase.
At a time when Amazon has upended the retail landscape, dropping everything from toys to tissue on customers’ doorsteps, traditional retailers have had to up their game, offering similar convenience while making a visit to an actual store worthwhile. “The retail landscape is evolving faster than ever before,” says Shea Jensen, Nordstrom’s senior vice president of customer experience. “In order to meet the needs of our customers, we need to adapt and find new ways to offer them the experiences and service they’re looking for. These efforts are really centered around the ideas of personalization, speed and convenience.” Nordstrom, known for its personal service, will feature “gift scouts” in more than 65 stores who can assist shoppers who’ve reserved an appointment at a store or through Nordstrom.com.
There will also be hubs at over 65 locations where gift buyers can zero in on tech, beauty and luxury items, And for $5 per gift, shoppers can choose to have their items wrapped in four varieties of custom-designed wrapping paper at more than 70 locations. Nordstrom shoppers will be able to pick up gifts before stores open their doors this holiday season – and sometimes even in the middle of the night – as the retailer ramps up convenience to compete with its rivals. From December 3 through Christmas Eve, Nordstrom is offering “early bird” pick up, enabling shoppers who check off their gift lists by clicking a button to get their presents starting at 8 am. Though the stores will still be closed, staffers will bring the items out to the curb.
And for those shoppers who want to make a midnight run, Nordstrom is bringing back its round-the-clock curbside service at 23 locations. That means customers can head to one of those stores at any time of the day or night between December 16 and 24 to pick up an online purchase.
At a time when Amazon has upended the retail landscape, dropping everything from toys to tissue on customers’ doorsteps, traditional retailers have had to up their game, offering similar convenience while making a visit to an actual store worthwhile. “The retail landscape is evolving faster than ever before,” says Shea Jensen, Nordstrom’s senior vice president of customer experience. “In order to meet the needs of our customers, we need to adapt and find new ways to offer them the experiences and service they’re looking for. These efforts are really centered around the ideas of personalization, speed and convenience.” Nordstrom, known for its personal service, will feature “gift scouts” in more than 65 stores who can assist shoppers who’ve reserved an appointment at a store or through Nordstrom.com. There will also be hubs at over 65 locations where gift buyers can zero in on tech, beauty and luxury items, And for $5 per gift, shoppers can choose to have their items wrapped in four varieties of custom-designed wrapping paper at more than 70 locations. [Source: USA Today]
WATCH: Wigs and beauty supplies burgled; total $8000
Thieves are accused of stealing thousands worth of wigs and beauty supplies from a Memphis, Tennessee, business. The break-in happened Saturday at Beauty Wigs in the 3200 block of Thomas. Police said the suspects stole more than $8,000 in merchandise and $200 in cash from a register. Responding officers saw two men running from the business. Darion Robinson was caught after a foot chase, according to MPD.
Investigators said Robinson was wearing a dark hoodie and a baseball hat and his face was covered with a bandana and gloves. His clothing matched one of the four males inside the store. Police found the front door of the business smashed open from a sledgehammer and the store the displayed were looted. Video showed a group of men gathering several packages of human hair and beauty products, then put them into boxes and run out of the store.
The store owner told investigators $8,130 worth of merchandise was stolen and $200 from a smashed cash register was taken.
Robinson is facing three charges – burglary of a business, theft of property $2,500 – $10,000, and evading arrest with foot pursuit. He’s in jail on a $40,000 bond. [Source: Fox13 News]
Crook sentenced in shoplifting case
A Pennsylvania man accused of assaulting two Boscov’s store employees while attempting to shoplift was sentenced Tuesday to probation. Joseph K. Elkins, 30, pleaded guilty to retail theft and was sentenced to 24 months’ probation and must complete community service, according to online court records.
Ekins attempted to leave the Boscov’s at the Beaver Valley Mall in Center Township on Feb. 17 without paying for merchandise he had in his hand, according to the initial police report. He was approached by two loss prevention associates (LPA) who tried to stop him from leaving, police said. Elkins attacked the two LPAs and tried to run to his car, police said. The associates stopped him before he drove off and fought with Elkins until officers arrived, according to the police report. [Source: The Times]
Restaurant uses facial recognition to remember your order
More and more companies are using facial recognition software. Apple’s new iPhone uses it to unlock your phone, and Facebook uses it to tag people in your pictures. One burger chain in Oviedo, Florida, is also starting to roll out the technology so that you can order your food faster. The new BurgerFi restaurant in the Stone Hill Plaza has been open less than a week, but they are already busy serving customers.
It’s not just their burgers that have people talking. It’s the two new self-serve kiosks in the store as you walk in where you can order with just your face. WFTV reporter Jeff Levkulich found out ordering with your face can be convenient for people that want to get in and get out quickly. Once the program remembers a customer’s face, the next time they visit, the kiosk brings up all their past orders, and then customers can select what they want from a list. A few minutes later, the same meal that was ordered before can be delivered directly to their table.
One question consumers might have is, what does this mean for your privacy? Most customers at the location said they didn’t mind giving their facial information to a company, but there were a few on the other side of the fence. “I would choose not to use it,” said Oviedo resident Caleb Hayward. “Yeah, I don’t think they should have that.” Either way, one of the restaurant’s owners said the tech was safe.
“There is actually a disclaimer on there that we don’t do anything with your information. Also you know we are not selling anything on the dark web,” said Daryl Baer, part owner of BurgerFi. “We just keep your information just between you and that kiosk right there.” [Source: WFTV9 News]
