Lang
8/28/20
Three Walmart employees have been charged as part of an alleged theft ring.
Iowa City Police were called to Walmart on Highway 1 West just after 8:30 Monday morning for a pair of employees involved in a theft. An investigation determined that three employees…20-year-old Erubiel Chavez of the Hilltop manufactured housing community on Waterfront Drive, 19-year-old Alexander Chavez of Lakeside Drive, and 19-year-old Jonathan Pacheco of Stanwyck Drive…had each failed to ring up all of the merchandise they had run through the self check-out lanes on multiple occasions. On some occasions the Chavez’s also allegedly put different price stickers on items, ringing them up at a lower value.
Police say the three were caught when Walmart loss prevention reviewed surveillance video.
Erubiel Chavez allegedly began his thefts on July 9th, while police say the other two began on July 27th and 28th. Erubiel Chavez and Pacheco allegedly committed a dozen such thefts each, with Alexander Chavez allegedly totaling 11.
While police say the total loss from Erubiel Chavez and Pacheco was between $41 and $46 each, Alexander Chavez, who police say admitted to the thefts, allegedly stole over $171 in food and Pokemon items.
All three men are charged with 5th Degree Theft. If convicted, they each face a maximum of 30 days in jail.