Authorities in Alabama and Tennessee have busted a shoplifting ring that utilized fraudulent UPC bar codes to toys throughout the Southeast.
James Adkins, 36, of Murfresboro and Daniel Germany, 44, were arrested for Theft of Property in the 4th Degree last Tuesday, December 10. Adkins faces an additional charge of Theft of Property in the 3rd degree.
The two are accused of replacing bar codes on toys with fraudulent ones, making the toys worth pennies on the dollar, at a Walmart in Madison, Alabama. They completed the purchases through self-checkout lanes.
Adkins and Germany are suspected of similar crimes in other parts of Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia. A search of Adkins’ Murfreesboro home revealed more than 6,600 toys believed to be valued between $750,000 to $1 million. Computers, label printing material and business documents were also confiscated. Adkins’ wife, 29-year-old Staff Sergeant Taylor Melvin, was arrested and charged locally for Theft and Criminal Simulation. Adkins and his wife were operating an online eBay… ABC33 News