Two individuals were arrested in separate theft incidents at Walmart on Homer Road in March after allegedly switching price tags on merchandise, according to Minden Police Department reports.
On March 11, officers were dispatched to Walmart in reference to a theft. A loss prevention employee reported observing a man later identified as Markous Wagar, 42, of Arcadia, swapping tags on clothing, including replacing a shirt tag with one from a Wrangler item and scanning other items with altered tags. The total value of the merchandise was reported at $85.36.
Police said Wagar initially identified himself as another individual to both store personnel and officers. After being transported to the police department, officers confirmed his identity. Due to providing false identification, Wagar was additionally charged with resisting an officer by refusal to identify.
Wagar was charged with misdemeanor theft and resisting an officer by refusal to identify.
In a separate incident on March 13, officers were again dispatched to Walmart for a reported theft. A loss prevention employee stated a man, later identified as Lawrence Smith, 56, of Gibsland, was observed swapping price tags on multiple items before attempting to purchase them.
After being stopped and advised of his rights, Smith told officers he was unemployed and could not afford the groceries. During a search, officers located multiple cardboard cutouts of price tags intended to be used to scan items at lower prices.
Smith was taken into custody and transported to the Minden Police Department for booking.
Smith was charged with theft.
All subjects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.