An Idaho man’s attempt to pull off a daring heist at Walmart by scanning a can of soup instead of a pricey grill landed him in hot water with the police. The 32-year-old, identified as Dylan Rockwell, used a homemade barcode ring to try and cheat the self-checkout system, but his plan came crashing down when authorities caught wind of his scheme.
The Barcode Ring: A Low-Tech Heist
Rockwell’s audacious move involved using a ring inscribed with a barcode for a cheap tin of soup to scan high-value items at Walmart’s self-checkout. This crafty maneuver allowed him to walk away with hundreds of pounds’ worth of goods. However, his luck ran out when he attempted to purchase a £240 ($300) grill by scanning a can of tomato soup, raising suspicion and prompting store security to intervene.
On 2nd February, the Caldwell Police Department received a report of ongoing theft at the Idaho Walmart. Officers quickly responded and traced Rockwell back to his residence, located about 25 miles from Boise, the state capital. During questioning, Rockwell admitted to using the deceptive barcode ring multiple times, confessing to his attempts at outsmarting the store’s security measures.
Police Chief Rex Ingram commended Rockwell’s creativity but emphasized that his tactics had ultimately failed. “Sorry, Mr. Rockwell, your tactics didn’t work this time, but we appreciate your creativity,” stated Chief Ingram. “We know that times are tough, but your ingenuity got you some county soup for dinner,” he added, highlighting the consequences of Rockwell’s ill-fated scheme.
Other Clever Walmart Theft Schemes
The discovery of the pilfered grill at Rockwell’s residence led to his arrest on a felony burglary charge. This incident echoes a similar case from last year, where a Georgia man used a TikTok “hack” to defraud multiple Walmart locations across three cities. Authorities revealed that the suspect, along with several others, had exploited an online trick that resulted in significant financial losses for the retail giant.
The influence of TikTok on viral theft trends has raised concerns among law enforcement agencies. The platform’s wide reach has enabled individuals to share illicit methods for manipulating self-checkout systems, leading to a surge in fraudulent activities. Detective Sergeant Nathan McNamara shed light on the suspect’s tactics, explaining how he exploited the system to obtain double the intended cash back by canceling transactions midway through.
Surveillance footage captured the suspect, described as a Black man in his late 20s or early 30s with short dreadlocks and a visible skin condition, engaging in the fraudulent scheme. Reports from Fox 5 Atlanta detailed how multiple individuals were observed using the same method to exploit Walmart’s cash back system, underscoring the widespread impact of such illicit practices.
As authorities work to crack down on these fraudulent activities, the case serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of viral trends that promote criminal behavior. While platforms like TikTok offer a platform for creativity and entertainment, users must exercise caution and ethical responsibility to prevent the spread of harmful practices that can harm individuals and businesses alike.
