Kirksville [MO] man accused of switching water bottle's UPC_code with $500 TV

www.kirksvilledailyexpress.com ^ | 04/25/2008 | STAFF

[Red Badger]

KIRKSVILLE - A Kirksville man faces a felony indictment after trying to purchase a LCD television for less than $3 by allegedly replacing its UPC code with that of a water bottle.

Reginald Newman, 44, was indicted Monday by the Adair County Grand Jury and has been charged with attempted stealing by deceit.

According to documents filed in Adair County Circuit Court, Newman allegedly tried to purchase a 26-inch Viore LCD television from Wal-Mart, claiming the UPC code valued at $3.16 was the proper code the television, which normally sells for more than $517. *

If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000 or any combination of the two.

He is in custody at the Adair County Detention Center on a $10,000 cash-only bond.

The grand jury also indicted a Novinger, Mo., man on two counts of felony forgery.

David Novinger, 45, was arrested Wednesday for writing checks on two accounts that were not his own.

He is also in custody at the Detention Center on a $25,000 cash-only bond.

[Red Badger]

Now why didn't I think of that!.......But the high prices of LCD televisions made him do it, so it's not his fault!............

[AU72]

Moron ping.

[2ndDivisionVet]

If he'd switched the UPC code for a less expensive TV, he'd almost assuredly gotten away with it. Did he really think a cashier would let him buy a TV for $3 that came up at the register as a water bottle? The judge should tack on an extra year for stupidity!

[AbeKrieger]

Oh man, you gotta do this with smaller items, not so conspicuous. :)

If he had gotten away with it, poetic justice (a la Darwin awards) would be his trying to return it if it didn’t work, with a bottle of Dasani on his receipt.

[the_devils_advocate_666]

Hmmm, how can I do that at the gas pump?

[meanie monster]

dunbazz

[Slapshot68]

Always Low Prices. Always.

[KarlInOhio]

This is the reason why many stores have the employee at the exit to give your receipt the once over and then check it off. A crooked employee will work with an accomplice in the checkout line to misenter an item.

[Hatteras]

"The grand jury also indicted a Novinger, Mo., man on two counts of felony forgery.

David Novinger, 45, was arrested Wednesday for writing checks on two accounts that were not his own. "

David Novinger from Novinger, Mo. Population: 1 (pending)

[imskylark]

He should get more time tacked on just for stupidity.

[MarineBrat]

"Meeting of MENSA! Meeting of MENSA!"

[rawhide]

He might have tried using the self-checkout lane. The scales in those lanes that weigh the product after you scan them, are incredibly sensitive and accurate. That might be how he was caught?

[Retired Chemist]

I remember the time I went to the super market and purchased a 12 pack of root beer. When I went through the checkout, the scanner picked up the bar code of one can through the hand hole in the package and rang up one can.
I pointed it out to the checkout gal and she scanned it again.

[Proud_USA_Republican]

Appears all the smart criminals choose Wal-Mart as their target.
Like the woman who tried to buy groceries with a 10,000 dollar bill.

[Oshkalaboomboom]

It doesn’t mention if he tried to do this at a register or self serve. I could see how might think he could get away with it at the self scanner. Not too bright but still plausible.