Walmart shopper wanted by police after ‘beast’ self-checkout scam – he got item for $200 less with sneaky trick

POLICE are looking for a 51-year-old man accused of orchestrating a dangerous self-checkout scam.

Shawn Whiddon has been identified as the man accused of fraudulently purchasing a crossbow at Walmart.

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It is alleged that Whiddon used the barcode on a children’s crossbow, priced at just $25, to purchase an adult crossbow valued at $239 at self-checkout at a Pennsylvania Walmart.

And this isn’t Whiddon’s first run-in with the law either, according to police.

Authorities suspect Whiddon of carrying out similar robberies at other locations near Walmart.

Police believe he drives a black Chevrolet Silverado with Ohio plates.

These out-of-state license plates make it easier for him to move from store to store and avoid detection.

At first glance, this may seem like a small theft.

But the implications of a theft of this nature can have dangerous and far-reaching implications.

These types of crossbows, especially adult-sized ones, are not only expensive but can also be dangerous if they fall into the wrong hands.

It is unknown why Widdon stole a crossbow and raises serious public safety concerns.

Although the gun Whiddon stole was not a high-capacity firearm, there is always a risk that stolen guns of any type could be used in violent crimes.

Other ways this could impact the community is possibly being the reason for new restrictions on self-checkout, which has already been the subject of mass scrutiny on social media for a variety of reasons.

Self-checkout systems are designed to increase convenience and efficiency for shoppers.

However, scams like these give retailers a reason to implement these limitations, especially since community safety is at risk in this example.

Retailers may be forced to rethink their use of ATMs, which could lead to longer queues and more inconvenience for honest shoppers.

Other ways in which retailers may decide to combat fraud could be the need to invest in more sophisticated security systems and staff training.

These additional costs can then be the excuse for higher prices in that store as the company seeks to recoup its investments.

Additionally, increased security measures can create a more intrusive shopping experience where every customer is viewed with suspicion.

And there are already many complaints about this from consumers on social media.

In addition to the problems and limits of self-checkout, customers complain that almost all everyday items are locked behind glass for extra checks of receipts, and even the lack of staff available for help and checkout queues , which results in long waiting times.

So while a self-checkout scam may seem like a minor problem, the broader implications of crossbow theft are significant.

This undermines trust between the store and the customer, can lead to increased costs and the stolen crossbow threatens public safety.