A North Carolina trio have been arrested in Kingsport after allegedly purchasing more than $500 in merchandise from Walmart with counterfeit money, then obtaining a refund for the transaction to obtain real bills.
Police say an additional $5,380 in phony money was located in one of the suspect's purse, along with addresses for Walmarts throughout Tennessee. KPD Det. Sgt. Chris Tincher said it's currently not known if any of those other stores have been hit by the suspects, but the Secret Service field office in Knoxville will be contacted about the incident.
The incident occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Walmart on Fort Henry Drive. Store personnel advised a female and two males in silver Ford Fusion had passed counterfeit money, with police locating the vehicle driving through the parking lot.
Police say the female driver provided a name later learned to not be her true identity. She was ultimately identified as Latoria Houston, 26, and her passenger as Devon Peoples, 31, each of Winston Salem, N.C.
While police spoke with the pair Walmart loss prevention pointed out another man walking across the parking lot, saying he was also involved in the incident. Police say he too provided officers with a false name before being positively IDed as Juwaan Woodbury, 29, also of Winston Salem.
Store staff stated the trio had selected $524 in merchandise, with their payment containing five counterfeit $100 bills. Shortly after walking out of the store Woodbury allegedly reentered — now wearing a different hat than during his first visit. He reportedly requested a refund for the purchase and obtained all the money back in real cash.
Police say they were given consent to search the suspects' vehicle. An envelope inside allegedly contained handwritten addresses for Walmart stores throughout the state, while $5,380 in counterfeit money was located in Houston's purse. Real cash from the refund inside the store was allegedly found in possession of Woodbury.
All three of the suspects were booked into the city jail on charges of criminal simulation and theft of more than $500. Houston and Woodbury are additionally charged with ID theft.