BEDFORD – A Bedford man was arrested on Friday, September 13, for theft after attempting to defraud Walmart by using counterfeit barcodes.
Jason B. Bryant, 47, faces theft charges.
According to an affidavit filed by Bedford Police Department Officer Clay Blackburn, the arrest was prompted by a report from Walmart’s Loss Prevention staff. The staff described the suspect as a bald male with tattoos, wearing a black shirt and khaki cargo shorts.
Officer Blackburn arrived at the scene around 10:30 a.m. and was directed by Walmart employees to Bryant, who had exited the store and was walking away. During a search, Officer Blackburn detained Bryant and found two store barcode tags in his pockets.
Loss Prevention employees reported that Bryant had been swapping UPC barcodes from cheaper items into more expensive products. He then used the altered barcodes at the self-checkout to pay a reduced price. The items involved included Hanes socks, Swiffer WetJet wipes, Calvin Klein body spray, Armor All Tire Shine, a t-shirt, and a hooded sweatshirt, totaling $79.63 before tax. Bryant paid only $32.22 for these items.
The employees attempted to apprehend Bryant as he left the store, but he continued to walk away. Once in custody, Bryant admitted to swapping the barcodes and acknowledged that his actions were “stupid.” He cooperated with the police, and Walmart employees who recovered the items before the officers arrived.
Bryant was issued a summons to appear in Lawrence County Superior Court II on October 7, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. for the theft charge. He was also trespassed from Walmart. After receiving the summons and acknowledging the trespass order, Bryant was released from custody.
