Lowe’s loss prevention employees were dealing with more than chainsaws and bogus returns.
In a separate investigation, deputies say thieves targeted thousands of dollars worth of copper and other merchandise during back-to-back visits to the South Point store.
The first theft happened Aug. 22. According to the sheriff’s report, surveillance video showed a man enter the store empty-handed before heading to the plumbing department and loading up on copper.
But he apparently wasn’t opposed to paying for everything.
Loss prevention said the man grabbed a drink, went through the self-checkout and paid for the beverage — while leaving his cart full of merchandise parked nearby.
After wandering around the front of the store for several minutes, he allegedly retrieved the cart and pushed it straight past the points of sale.
Store officials said he stole copper piping and coils worth $638.30.
The man reportedly headed across the parking lot to a Honda Odyssey minivan displaying a West Virginia plate. Investigators said the plate did not return as being on file when checked.
They Came Back the Next Day
According to Lowe’s, a man returned Aug. 23, this time accompanied by another man.
Surveillance reportedly showed the pair entering empty-handed and selecting merchandise in the electrical and plumbing departments.
In an unusual twist, one of the men reportedly even stopped to fill out a Lowe’s credit card application during the visit.
But investigators said the pair ultimately left without paying for a large amount of merchandise, including copper refrigerator coil, multiple types of copper pipe, a battery and other items.
The value of merchandise allegedly taken during the second visit was $1,636.59, bringing the two-day total to $2,274.89.
Investigators also identified a second vehicle believed to have been involved, a maroon Chevrolet sedan.
Traffic Stop Provides a Break
Deputies later got a break in identifying one of the men during an unrelated traffic stop.
According to the report, a deputy recognized passenger Jameson Watts as one of the unidentified men from the Lowe’s investigation. Watts was also found to have an active Lawrence County Municipal Court warrant and was arrested and transported to the Lawrence County Jail.
The report says the identity of the second man — described as the man in the hat — remained unknown.
Video from the Lowe’s incidents was submitted as evidence.
