Police investigate $40,000 in gift cards stolen from local Walmart

West Chester Twp. police and the Butler County Prosecutor’s Office are investigating employees of a local Walmart accused of stealing an estimated $40,000 from the store during the past two years.

Police received a complaint Oct. 7 from the Market Asset Protection Manager of the Walmart, 8288 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, about a scam that is believed to have been ongoing since an unknown date in 2007, according to reports.

Sgt. Joe Gutman of the West Chester Twp. Police Department said they do have at least two people who are considered suspects. He declined to provide their names, where they’re from or how long they’ve been employees because the investigation is ongoing. No charges had been filed as of earlier this week.

He said investigators are scheduled to meet with the county prosecutor’s office this week to determine what criminal charges to pursue.

Gutman said a crime of that magnitude would typically warrant a third-degree felony theft offense, which carries with it a maximum of five years in prison for a conviction.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2112 or dgreber@coxohio.com.

About the Author