From NewsChannel 9: 3 people from Athens, Cleveland and Dayton face charges after a deputy thwarted a shoplifting scheme at Walmart, McMinn County
From NewsChannel 9: 3 people from Athens, Cleveland and Dayton face charges after a deputy thwarted a shoplifting scheme at Walmart, McMinn County’s sheriff says.
One of them even put on a vest pretending to be an employee.
At about 9 p.m. Monday, Sheriff Joe Guy says Corporal Michael Richmond noticed a a blue and gray Chevrolet pickup traveling down Hjghway 30 west of Athens.
The vehicle was using an off-road only light, so Richmond was suspicious, and activated his blue lights. After a few moments, the vehicle eventually came to a stop.
Richmond spoke with the driver of the vehicle, 21-year-old Jacob Jarnow of Athens, and the passengers, 36-year-old Dottie Yearwood of Dayton and 43-year-old Daniel Yearwood of Cleveland.
Richmond also noticed that the back of the truck was full of brand new retail items, several with security tags still attached.
“When Corporal Richmond questioned the suspects about the items, they claimed they had been Christmas shopping,” said Sheriff Guy. “But there were no shopping bags or receipts.”
Sheriff Guy says Richmond discovered that Jarnow was driving on a revoked license, and located drug paraphernalia in the vehicle.
When Richmond patted down Jarnow during the arrest, he notice the man was wearing a Walmart vest under his coat, which caused Richmond to become even more suspicious.
While speaking to all three suspects, Sheriff Guy says it became evident that the items had been taken from Walmart, so Richmond asked for Athens Police to pay a visit to Walmart to confirm the theft.
Athens Police spoke with Walmart management, who were already suspicious that a shoplifting had occurred earlier.
Athens Police and Walmart Loss Prevention began in investigation. After reviewing security cameras, it was discovered that Jarnow had entered the store, put on the employee vest, and then pretending to be an employee began to take items out of the store.
“He took them right out the door,” said Sheriff Guy. “He looked like he was just any employee taking some items outside.”
Sheriff Guy says Dottie Yearwood had also shoplifted several of the items, all of which were estimated to be valued at $1770.
The items were returned to the store and all 3 suspects were charged in the theft.
Jacob Jarnow was charged with possession of unlawful drug paraphernalia, driving on a revoked license, and shoplifting.
Dottie Yearwood was charged with possession of unlawful drug paraphernalia, theft of property, and shoplifting and was released after making a $2000 bond.
Daniel Yearwood remains in custody on charges of possession of unlawful drug paraphernalia and a fugitive from justice warrant out of Georgia under a $152,000 bond.
