Arrested After Allegedly Trying To Buy TV For $2 At Walmart

[Hum]

William Keltner is accused of swapping barcodes on a TV at Walmart. He allegedly tried to buy the device for $2.

A 52-year-old man was arrested at an Abilene, Texas, Walmart after he allegedly swapped barcodes on a television and tried to buy the device for about $2.

William Keltner allegedly removed a barcode tag from a hanger worth only $1.17 and placed it on the $228 television. According to KTXS, Kelter was detained in an office until police arrived.

Keltner is charged with state-jail felony theft, destruction of evidence, and misdemeanor destruction of writing. His theft charge was enhanced due to prior theft convictions.

The Houston Press compared the foiled scheme to one of the "cunning plans" from the BBC Comedy "Blackadder," but strangely this isn't the first time someone has been accused of swapping barcodes to get a lower price on an item.

Earlier this year, a Silicon Valley executive was charged with four felony counts of burglary for allegedly affixing false barcodes to packages of LEGOs in area Target stores.

NBC Bay Area reported that the executive, Thomas Langenbach, was formally charged with switching tickets on seven boxes of LEGOs worth about $1,000 total, although police said he had sold 2,100 pilfered LEGO sets on eBay, garnering $30,000 in profit.

source

[Digit12345]

Somehow I doubt he was stupid enough to think he could get away with it. If the guy is homeless, it would seem more like an obvious attempt to get arrested considering winter is near.

[+Warwagon MVC]

[SiCKX]

How dumb can he be. He could've dropped some $10 off the main price maybe if the store guys aren't aware of all prices but $2 TV? He should get life! :D

[*RedBull*]

Seriously do people not know the barcode is tied to information about the product and not just indication of the price? This is not the 1980's.

[Asrokhel]

I can't believe he actually thought he'd get away with doing that.

[HawkMan]

Seriously do people not know the barcode is tied to information about the product and not just indication of the price? This is not the 1980's.

If you've paid attention to the numerous "create a barcode" tricks going about the last few years, you'll find that a lot of the bigger stores, this isn't the case for some reason.

[+ir0nw0lf Subscriber²]

"Destruction of writing," first time I have heard of that one.

[episode]

Seriously do people not know the barcode is tied to information about the product and not just indication of the price? This is not the 1980's.

You only have to fool the cashier for 10 seconds. If it scans as something generic or close to what you're buying, you'd get away with it. But if it reads as a Hanger when its a TV, and its a $2 TV, obviously they are going to catch on.

[*RedBull*]

If you've paid attention to the numerous "create a barcode" tricks going about the last few years, you'll find that a lot of the bigger stores, this isn't the case for some reason.

Yea, not a matter of paying attention. I've not read anything about it. Your assertion assumes a behaviorial deficit on my part. I actually work two jobs and don't have time to sit around. But now this makes sense.

[soldier1st]

The prices in this country are staggering and will only get worse. in 2020 the price for a bottle of pop will be $10-$15 if it keeps going the way it is. Lower ur damn prices and be satisfied.

[ahhell]

The prices in this country are staggering and will only get worse. in 2020 the price for a bottle of pop will be $10-$15 if it keeps going the way it is. Lower ur damn prices and be satisfied.

Ummm...ok. :s

[Lord Method Man]

Ummm...ok. :s

Things are a lot simpler in "Linux land."

[Xilo]

Things are a lot simpler in "Linux land."

Many more tin foil hats as well.

[Rigby]

Somehow I doubt he was stupid enough to think he could get away with it. If the guy is homeless, it would seem more like an obvious attempt to get arrested considering winter is near.

If that was the case why go through all that trouble? Just pick up something and walk out the door with it.

[joep1984]

Alot of people got away with that when i worked at a walmart. Walmart has a strict policy not to stop shoplifters unless you're a high up member of management, but even they are limited as to what they can do. I known of a few that got fired for running after and stopping people.

I can vouch that this is the same in most retail stores. I work at Kmart (I'm not exactly happy about it, but a job's a job until February and basic training), and we can't even say anything if we see someone taking something they didn't pay for. Unless security is actively watching them, there isn't a single thing we can do.

Oh sure, we can go up to someone security points out and ask if they need help, but we can't say "Hey, put that back."

I saw a kid (probably 7 or 8) take a video game out of the cheap bin up front and put it in his coat. I said "Can you take the game out of your coat and put it back please?" That's the only time I broke that rule, because kids need to know we're watching them do stupid stuff.

tl;dr retail wage-slaves have no power to stop, chase, basically even look at shoplifters.

[freedonX]

Weird politics, can I ask why that's the policy?

Is it because you aren't 100% certain someone took something and if you do a mistake, the customer might back fire with a lawsuit?

[Growled Member]

From what you guys are saying he would have come out better just to have walked out with the TV.

[Hum]

I thought Wal-Mart went thru a special rigamarole when you buy a TV -- that's what I experienced.

[ninja502]

William Keltner is accused of swapping barcodes on a TV at Walmart. He allegedly tried to buy the device for $2.

A 52-year-old man was arrested at an Abilene, Texas, Walmart after he allegedly swapped barcodes on a television and tried to buy the device for about $2.

William Keltner allegedly removed a barcode tag from a hanger worth only $1.17 and placed it on the $228 television. According to KTXS, Kelter was detained in an office until police arrived.

Keltner is charged with state-jail felony theft, destruction of evidence, and misdemeanor destruction of writing. His theft charge was enhanced due to prior theft convictions.

The Houston Press compared the foiled scheme to one of the "cunning plans" from the BBC Comedy "Blackadder," but strangely this isn't the first time someone has been accused of swapping barcodes to get a lower price on an item.

Earlier this year, a Silicon Valley executive was charged with four felony counts of burglary for allegedly affixing false barcodes to packages of LEGOs in area Target stores.

NBC Bay Area reported that the executive, Thomas Langenbach, was formally charged with switching tickets on seven boxes of LEGOs worth about $1,000 total, although police said he had sold 2,100 pilfered LEGO sets on eBay, garnering $30,000 in profit.

source

when did the price of a lego set jump to $142 each ? I haven't seen a lego set that high ever but after looking on target web site they got sets over $200 and close to $400.

[Colin McGregor]

Somehow I doubt he was stupid enough to think he could get away with it. If the guy is homeless, it would seem more like an obvious attempt to get arrested considering winter is near.

this

Somehow I doubt he was stupid enough to think he could get away with it. If the guy is homeless, it would seem more like an obvious attempt to get arrested considering winter is near.

this

[Growled Member]

I thought Wal-Mart went thru a special rigamarole when you buy a TV -- that's what I experienced.

Everyone gives you a hard time.

[Jojo81]

How did Walmart detain him? In my state they aren't allowed to do crap but call the police as you walk out the door.

[Michael Churma III]

Three words.... People of Walmart :laugh:

[Shiranui]

Surely this is just "attempted theft" ?