On Saturday, August 10, 2024, at approximately 16:13 hours, a Sulphur Springs Police officer was dispatched to Walmart regarding a theft incident. Walmart Asset Protection had notified dispatch that they were about to confront a couple suspected of shoplifting. Upon arrival, the officer made contact with both the complainant and the suspect in the asset protection office.
The complainant reported that the suspect and a female accomplice were engaged in "skip scanning" and switching price tags on merchandise to pay a reduced price. A pack of steaks, scanned with a tag meant for a ceramic pot, was provided as evidence, indicating a significantly lower price.
Security footage reviewed by the officer showed the suspect deliberately scanning incorrect labels instead of the proper ones for the steaks. Additionally, three other items were found with mismatched tags, and one item was skip scanned. The total value of the improperly scanned and skipped items amounted to $125.88.
As a result, the suspect, identified as Sean William Ashby, was arrested for theft. He was secured in double-locked handcuffs, searched, and placed in the patrol vehicle. The suspect was then transported to the Hopkins County Jail and handed over to jail staff. The charge listed was theft of property valued between $100 and $750.
