News Summary
Elizabethton police have responded to several shoplifting incidents at Walmart. The self-checkout area has seen multiple suspects, leading to several citations and ongoing court dates. Individuals involved, including Stacy Jaynes, Helen Burrow, and others, are set to appear in court on March 3, 2025. The incidents highlight concerns over Walmart’s self-checkout policies and the community’s response to rising thefts.
Elizabethton Police Report Multiple Shoplifting Incidents at Local Walmart
In the bustling town of Elizabethton, Tennessee, local law enforcement has been busy responding to a series of shoplifting incidents at Walmart on Overmountain Drive. It seems the self-checkout lines have become a hot spot for some shoppers looking to score a deal, but not in the way Walmart intended!
It all began on February 1, 2025, when police received a call around 7:19 p.m. regarding a shoplifting report. The loss prevention team identified a suspect, Stacy L. Jaynes, accused of failing to scan multiple items while checking out on her own. The total value of the unscanned merchandise? A whopping $228! As a result, Jaynes was issued a citation for shoplifting under $1,000, with a court date already set for March 3, 2025, in Carter County General Sessions Court.
Fast forward to February 5, and the drama continued to unfold. At 6:47 p.m., officers were dispatched once more to Walmart, where two more suspects were identified by loss prevention: Helen Renee Burrow and Keyla B. Lyons. These ladies were also caught not scanning multiple items, leading to their citations for shoplifting under $1,000. Interestingly, they too will be meeting in court on March 3.
Just an hour earlier that same evening, at 5:44 p.m., Lori Ann Haws was arrested on suspicion of putting items valued at $76.07 inside folded towels, presumably trying to hide her haul. Haws received a criminal summons and has a court date set for March 3 as well. What a busy day for law enforcement!
The timeline doesn’t end there. Earlier that day, at 12:57 p.m., Amy Michelle Cooke was also cited for attempting to outsmart the system by switching barcodes to snag lower prices, totaling $91.33 in goods. Guess who’s going to court on March 3?
Moreover, on February 4, officers cited Dylan A. Shedrick and Meghan Demers for stealing $111.83 worth of merchandise, marking yet another incident that shattered the community’s trust in the local shopping haven. With court dates also set for March 3, it appears Walmart may need to tighten those self-checkout policies!
But there’s more on the crime log. On the same day as the previous events, Louis D. Stout was arrested for DUI after hitting another vehicle and fleeing the scene. The incident occurred at 5:52 p.m. when Stout was found in the Walmart parking lot exhibiting signs of intoxication. After a blood draw, he was booked into Carter County Jail, also facing a court date on March 3.
There was another incident involving Baucom Samuel Earl, who was cited for driving with a suspended out-of-state license following a crash earlier on February 4, also scheduled for court on March 3.
Meanwhile, the nightkeepers of Elizabethton weren’t done just yet. Leah Vines Anderson was arrested on February 1 at around 5:03 a.m. for public intoxication. Reports indicate that she had been knocking on doors and acting erratically, leading police to find her under the influence of narcotics.
As these incidents roll out, it’s crucial to remember that all individuals mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The whirlwind of activity at Walmart has certainly caught the attention of both the police and the community, leaving everyone wondering just what might happen next in the ongoing saga of Elizabethton’s shopping excursions.
Stay tuned as we keep an eye on these developments and hope that everyone remembers to play fair during their shopping expeditions!
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Additional Resources
- Elizabethton Police Report: Arrests
- Wikipedia: Shoplifting
- Elizabethton Police: Lowe’s Shoplifting Suspect
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Shoplifting
- Elizabethton Police: Walmart Shoplifting Suspect
- Google Search: Walmart Shoplifting
- Elizabethton Woman Banned from Walmart
- Google Scholar: Retail Theft
- Elizabethton Police: Shoplifting Suspects
- Google News: Shoplifting Incidents
Author: STAFF HERE BRISTOL WRITTER
The BRISTOL STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBristol.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bristol, Sullivan County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, NASCAR races at Bristol Motor Speedway, Border Bash concert series, and the Hot Bristol Night Car Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, Believe in Bristol, and the Birthplace of Country Music, plus leading businesses in healthcare, manufacturing, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Ballad Health, Strongwell, and Bristol Motor Speedway. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
