A mother and her pregnant daughter were arrested after allegedly using Kool-Aid drink packets in a bizarre scheme to steal hundreds of dollars’ worth of merchandise from Walmart. The shocking incident was captured on store security footage and has since gone viral for the unusual method used to carry out the theft.
According to police, the two women used the colorful drink mix packets to manipulate the self-checkout scanners. The scheme worked like this: instead of scanning the actual barcode of expensive items such as electronics and home goods, they quickly passed cheap Kool-Aid packets worth under 30 cents each over the scanner — paying only a fraction of the real total.
Walmart loss prevention officers noticed the suspicious activity after reviewing surveillance footage that showed the pair making multiple “purchases” that didn’t match the items in their carts. When confronted by store security, the mother became defensive and allegedly tried to argue that they had done nothing wrong, while her pregnant daughter appeared nervous but silent.
Bodycam footage released by responding officers shows the mother holding a crumpled receipt and insisting that the officers “don’t touch” her, while claiming she had paid for everything. However, upon checking the receipt, police confirmed that the only scanned items were the Kool-Aid packets and a few low-cost groceries — even though their cart was full of high-value merchandise.
Investigators later estimated that the pair attempted to steal more than $500 worth of goods, including electronics, baby supplies, and household items. Both were detained at the scene and charged with felony theft and retail fraud. The daughter was released on her own recognizance due to her pregnancy, while the mother was booked into county jail pending a court appearance.
The unusual nature of the scam — using Kool-Aid packets as fake barcodes — has drawn widespread attention online. Commenters flooded social media with disbelief, many calling it “one of the dumbest theft attempts ever.” Others, however, pointed to the rising cost of living, suggesting that desperation might have driven their actions.
A police spokesperson described the tactic as “creative but illegal,” warning that all Walmart self-checkout lanes are monitored by multiple cameras and detection systems. “You might get away with it once,” the officer said, “but you will always be caught eventually.”
This case serves as yet another example of how self-checkout theft continues to rise across the country, with many stores now employing advanced AI systems to detect barcode fraud and switching tactics like this one.
Both women are scheduled to appear in court next month. If convicted, they could face up to five years in prison and restitution payments to Walmart.
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