It seems that police in Chattanooga, TN were fed up with crime at the local Walmart stores and decided to take a proactive approach. Instead of waiting for calls, they ran stings, and it worked. The police arrested 8 people. Now we've written about how crime-ridden Walmart parking lots can be in the past, but this is the first we've heard of any kind of stings. It's actually a great idea. Studies in the past have shown that if Walmart would patrol their parking lots sporadically, crime would drop significantly. It is unfortunate, however, that the police force had to step up and do this, because it should really be Walmart's responsibility. I suppose it's really no surprise, though. Walmart costs tax payers billions of dollars every year by shirking their responsibilities. The parking lots are Walmart's property, after all.

Here's the article from the local a local TV station:

Chattanooga Police have arrested 8 people, charging them with theft under $500 in connection with a sting that was conducted at area Walmart parking lots in Chattanooga.

Property Crimes Investigators set up yesterday on the lots of the Walmart in Brainerd and Gunbarrel Rd. and waited on would-be thieves. Investigators used 2 females who posed as shoppers who would leave their purses on the trunks of their vehicle and walk off into the Walmart.

With the holiday season approaching, Chattanooga Police are taking a pro-active approach in deterring thefts from vehicles, auto thefts and parking lot robberies by conducting these types of stings and getting the message out we are out in the communities and are working to prevent these types of crimes.

Chattanooga Police also report there were more good honest shoppers than thieves, 30 – 35 people who saw the purses that had been left, quickly turned them in to the store. Chattanooga Police want to commend these honest people and thank them for their honesty.

Charge with Theft Under $500 were:

Jermichael Bowling
Kelshia Hicks
Gaynor Espy
Joe Young
Sandra Harris
Marlin Dewayne Gates
Monica Gates
Elvis Carbajal-Osorio