Walmart shopper arrested after “stealing five times a year” using a sneaky “pharmacy to the door” ploy – but made a mistake
A sneaky Walmart shopper has been arrested by police after allegedly stealing five times in a row, using a pharmacy trick to get away with it.
In Alpena, Michigan, about 248 miles north of Detroit, Andrew Paul Fernelius, 54, was spotted by a suspected loss prevention officer at Walmart.
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The officer claimed he saw Fernelius steal pet items and dog food from the site at least five times in 2023, according to Detroit Fox News WJBK.
The trick was to hand him his driver’s license.
Police said Fernelius would buy medicines from the pharmacy and then show his ID.
He later walked out with a shopping cart full of goods he hadn’t paid for.
Fernelius stole about $1,200 worth of Walmart items, WJBK reported.
He was only arrested on July 6 after a report was filed with the Alpena County Attorney’s Office and a warrant was approved.
The man turned himself in to the county jail on July 11. MichiganLive reported.
Fernelius was charged with first-degree retail fraud with $5,000 bail.
The news comes after a Walmart employee explained why thieves are always caught eventually.
Richard Wisener (@manofmanycolors) created a video on TikTok where she warns shoplifters that employees never forget a face and that their asset protection manager is responsible for all shoplifters.
“Our AP manager will be on the lookout for you next time,” he said.
He mentioned that this could lead to police intervention, as in the case of Fernelius.
“Just stop stealing people. We know who you are,” Richard said on TikTok.
Other former Walmart employees have issued similar warnings.
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