Walmart loss prevention nabs South Bend police officer switching tags during theft
SOUTH BEND IN October 20 2018— A South Bend police officer has been charged with theft after reportedly switching the price tags on items at a local Walmart.
Brandon Jones, 33, turned himself in at 2:23 a.m. Thursday, according to the St. Joseph County Jail. After his afternoon arraignment, a judge released Jones from jail with no bail and no pretrial supervision. His next court date will be Oct. 30 in front of Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Hurley.
Jones was charged Wednesday with theft, a Class A Misdemeanor, and delivery of a false sales document, a Level 6 Felony. A warrant for Jones’ arrest was issued.
South Bend Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski requested the Indiana State Police investigate the officer after he was stopped by employees at the Walmart on Ireland Road in South Bend about a month ago, according to a news release. Jones was placed on unpaid leave pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings and an internal investigation.
On Sept. 25, Jones was reportedly seen on surveillance video at self-scan register scanning University of Notre Dame apparel and placing the item into a shopping bag, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Marissa DeSantos was on duty working security and reportedly saw when Jones scanned the apparel it rang up as a “pie pumpkin” for $2.98 and not as Notre Dame apparel. DeSantos continued watching Jones ring up several other items, including mixed fruit, an freshener and a container of raspberries, which all scanned as either “pie pumpkins” or “mini-pumpkins,” according to court documents.
DeSantos then watched video footage of Jones’ prior movement in the store and saw around 3:19 p.m. Jones was in the produce department picking up pumpkins, walking to his shopping cart, doing something with the pumpkins, and then returning the items to the display.
Jones exited Walmart around 3:43 p.m. and was stopped by DeSantos and Asset Protection Manager Christyana Allen and escorted to a back office. DeSantos created two receipts, the first showing the amount Jones rang up for four items with the “pie pumpkin” tag and two items rang up using the “mini-pumpkins” tag. The second receipt shows the total amount of all the items Jones allegedly price- switched, which showed a total loss of roughly $66 for Walmart.
Jones reportedly identified himself to the employees as a South Bend police officer and said he was “having some problems” in his life and he didn’t feel he could tell anyone about it, according to court documents. He also reportedly told the employees he wanted to keep the incident confidential and not tell the police department.
Despite his request, DeSantos and Allen contacted police and Officer Kelly Waite was dispatched to the store. Waite spoke with Jones and he said the situation was “a little misunderstanding.” Jones told Waite he picked up the clothes off of the rack and that the clothes already had their price tags switched. He denied placing other tags on the items so he could price switch.
