From expensive decking screws to self-checkout scams, Lawrence County deputies spent part of the week dealing with a pair of retail theft cases in South Point.
And in both cases, investigators say store cameras caught everything.
Lowe’s Reports Repeat Screw Theft
Deputies were first called to Lowe’s after loss prevention reported a theft that had happened days earlier but was later discovered during a review of store surveillance footage.
According to the report, loss prevention staff watched CCTV footage showing James Helton entering the store empty-handed before selecting two 25-pound containers of decking screws valued at $119 each.
Investigators say Helton later went through self-checkout before leaving the store without paying for the screws.
The total value of the merchandise was reported at $238.
Store surveillance footage was collected and entered into evidence.
Walmart Shopper Accused of “Under-Ringing” Items
In a separate theft case, deputies responded to Walmart after store security stopped a woman accused of manipulating the self-checkout process.
According to store personnel, surveillance video showed the woman entering the store carrying a Walmart shopping bag before selecting merchandise and placing items inside it as she shopped.
Investigators say she later went through the GM-side self-checkout area and intentionally scanned only some of the merchandise while leaving other items unpaid.
Store staff stopped her after she passed the final point of sale.
Security recovered 28 unpaid items with a reported value of more than $354.
The woman was issued a trespass notice and transported to the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office in connection with the theft investigation.
