Bluffton Walmart slaps embezzlement charges on employee who pinched $73 in subs, pizza
The Bluffton Walmart, an arm of the world’s most profitable supermarket retailers wasn’t satisfied with simply firing a guy for pinching a sandwich at lunch, they went the extra step to get him locked up in jail on embezzlement charges by the sheriff’s office over six sub sandwiches, six frozen pizzas, a few frozen entrees and a pack of saltine crackers.
After firing the 21-year-old employee, the retail behemoth that took in more than $680 billion in 2025 revenue asked that local law enforcement land 16 misdemeanor charges over $73.37 worth of lunchtime thefts over the course of two months.
Three Beaufort County Sheriff’s officers were assigned to spend their Sunday morning last week investigating the employee’s alleged crimes of “skip scanning” or paying reduced prices for 16 items, according to police reports.
What is “skip scanning”?
“Skip scanning” is when a shopper scans one or more items at checkout, but intentionally avoids scanning one or more items to avoid paying for them.
“(The employee) would purchase one item, while skip scanning a meal, depriving the business of monies,” states a police report.
Skip scanning was mentioned in 12 of the 16 cases. In the other four cases, the employee rang up lunch items at reduced prices.
Officers met with Walmart Loss Prevention Manager Robert Buchanan, who wished to pursue charges against the snack thief, according to the reports.
The officers agreed that the criminal’s actions violated South Carolina law and deemed the matter worthy of taxpayer resources.
“(The employee) was entrusted by Walmart to pay for items he would be receiving/consuming while working, which he did not do,” wrote officer Vincent Guidone his report. “I will be seeking arrest warrants for Breach of Trust (16-13-0230) against (the employee) at my earliest convenience.”
That same law is what was used last year to convict a former treasurer of a Hilton Head POA who was caught embezzling over $200,000 from the association’s reserve accounts.
According to police reports, the employee skip-scanned or rung up at a reduced price six sub sandwiches, six frozen pizzas, a few frozen entrees, and a pack of saltines, adding up to $73.37 in lost revenue for Walmart.
Each individual item warranted one misdemeanor charge. Officers spent time on public payroll filling out 16 individual police reports prior to seeking the warrants. the employee was arrested Friday morning and released on personal recognizance after being detained for 28 hours, account to Beaufort County Detention Center.
A court hearing is set for May 27 at Bluffton Magistrate Court. According to South Carolina law, the penalty for misdemeanor embezzlement can be a fine of up to $1000 or up to 30 days in jail.
Here’s everything he is accused of stealing or paying a reduced rate:
2/15/2025: DiGiorno Pizza, $3.97
2/18/2025: DiGiorno Pizza, $3.97
2/21/2025: DiGiorno Pizza, $3.97
2/23/2025: Guy Fieri Fiesta Beef Taco Pasta Bowl, $5.94
2/28/2025: Digiorno Pizza, $3.97, rung up at $1.48
3/2/2025: Red Baron Pizza, $4.14, rung up at $1.48
3/3/2025: Red Baron Pizza, $4.14, rung up at $1.24
3/4/2025: Jose Ole Taquitos, $6.46, rung up at $2.46
3/18/2025: Tapatio Beef Enchiladas, $4.87
3/22/2025: Premium Saltines, $3.68
3/24/2025: Full Sub, $6.87
3/29/2025: Half Sub, $4.77
4/5/2025: Deli Sub, $4.77
4/7/2025: Deli Sub, $6.87
4/12/2025: Deli Sub, $6.87
4/14/2025: Deli Sub, $4.77
The Bluffton Walmart isn’t the only supermarket that as pressed charges over convenience items worth less than a Lincoln note.
In December, a man in Leesburg, Florida was arrested for stealing a Slim Jim while on duty at Walmart. Earlier this month, a deli worker at Midwestern supermarket retailer Meijer went viral after body cam footage was posted showing officers arresting him for allegedly sneaking chicken and fruit cups at work over the course of several months.
This story was originally published May 1, 2025 at 9:14 AM.
