Police bust cash register scam involving Walmart employee, accomplice

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette

Monday, Dec. 30, 2013, 3 p.m. — Two Bardstown women were arrested on theft charges last week after an investigation by Bardstown Police and Wal-Mart’s loss prevention.

The investigation began in mid-December after Wal-Mart loss prevention contacted the Bardstown Police Department in regards to a series of thefts and they suspected an employee of being involved.

The investigation revealed that Wal-Mart employee Kimberly Newton, 21, would ring up merchandise and then void some of the purchases. Then the items would be placed into bags. The employee would ring up small amounts of merchandise to be paid for. Then all items would be bagged as if paid for.

Newton was arrested Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013, and charged with theft by unlawful taking or disposition, all others, and unlawful access to a computer, second-degree. She was lodged in the Nelson County Jail.

Newton’s accomplice was Jennifer Humphrey, 33, who allegedly used her juvenile son to assist with some of the transactions that took place at Newton’s cash register. Humphrey was arrested Friday, Dec. 28, 2013, after she was stopped while operating a motor vehicle after a surveillance detail. She was charged with theft by unlawful taking, unlawful transaction with a minor, third-degree; no or expired registration plates; failure to register or transfer a vehicle; failure to notify change of address; possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of a controlled substance, first-degree; and trafficking a controlled substance, second-degree.

According to Bardstown Police press release, the total of items stolen was $1,226. All of the thefts occurred during a series of transactions between Humphrey and Newton.

The investigation is open and additional charges may be filed, police said.

If you have any information regarding this incident please contact the Bardstown Police at (502) 348-6811 or Nelson County Dispatch at (502) 348-3211.

-30-