Ashley Cross, a 37-year-old woman from Memphis, Tennessee, has been arrested and charged with theft and criminal trespass after allegedly attempting to shoplift from a Walmart store. Cross had already been banned from all Walmart locations across the United States due to previous incidents of shoplifting.
However, despite the prohibition, she entered a Memphis Walmart and engaged in fraudulent activities that led to her latest arrest. This incident underscores the persistent problem of retail theft in the U.S., which has cost retailers billions in losses.
The Incident: How Ashley Cross Was Caught
On the day of her arrest, Ashley Cross entered the Walmart store located on Elvis Presley Boulevard in Memphis alongside another woman. According to local police reports, the pair devised a scheme to scan items at self-checkout using an old watch battery barcode, allowing them to pay just $1 for each item.
Cross allegedly stole various products, including 11 packs of Ramen noodles, jeans, a T-shirt, and boots, amounting to a total value of $137.34. Her companion also used the same fraudulent scanning technique to steal items such as two bras, a backpack, a lash kit, and a car accessory, valued at $57.86.
Walmart employees alerted security personnel about suspicious activities at the self-checkout area, prompting the intervention of law enforcement. When police arrived, they discovered that Cross had already been placed on the Authorization of Agency list—a designation banning her from entering any Walmart store in the country.
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Her previous offenses led to this strict measure, but her disregard for the restriction resulted in additional charges of criminal trespass and theft of merchandise worth less than $1,000.
Walmart’s Policy on Banning Customers
Walmart reserves the right to ban individuals from its stores due to disruptive behavior, theft, or threats against employees. In the past, multiple individuals have faced lifetime bans from Walmart for various reasons. For instance, in 2013, an Arizona man was prohibited from entering any Walmart store after making threats against staff members.
Similarly, in 2015, a New Jersey woman named Johanna Cassimore was banned for life after stealing $78 worth of vitamins. These examples illustrate how Walmart enforces strict policies against individuals who repeatedly violate store rules and regulations.
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In a statement provided to Newsweek, Walmart officials reaffirmed their stance on prohibiting individuals from their stores. The company emphasized that while they value their customers and associates, certain behaviors warrant permanent bans.
Walmart’s decision to blacklist individuals is typically reserved for cases involving habitual theft, violence, or repeated violations of store policies. Ashley Cross’s history of shoplifting made her a prime candidate for such a restriction, yet she continued her illegal activities, leading to her latest arrest.
The Growing Problem of Shoplifting in the U.S.
Retail theft has become a significant challenge for businesses across the United States. According to Capitol One Shopping Research, shoplifting alone accounted for $93.9 billion in losses for retailers in 2021.
Of that amount, external theft—including shoplifting—represented 37% of total retail losses, making it the largest category of theft. Between 2019 and 2023, shoplifting incidents increased by a staggering 93%, highlighting the severity of the issue.
In Tennessee, where Cross was arrested, shoplifting has reached alarming levels. Chattanooga was reported to have the highest shoplifting rate in the nation during the first half of 2024, with 89.83 incidents per 100,000 residents.
Many retailers, including Walmart, have taken additional security measures to combat theft, such as installing surveillance cameras, employing loss prevention officers, and implementing policies like self-checkout restrictions.
The legal landscape around shoplifting has also evolved in recent years. In November 2024, California voters passed Proposition 36, which overturned a 2014 law that had reclassified theft under $950 as a misdemeanor. This decision came after widespread concerns that lenient theft laws contributed to increased retail crime.
While some states have strengthened their penalties for shoplifting, others continue to grapple with the issue, leaving retailers vulnerable to repeat offenders like Ashley Cross.
Despite her history of theft, Cross attempted to evade detection by using deceptive tactics at self-checkout. Her actions not only resulted in financial losses for Walmart but also demonstrated how shoplifters continue to exploit loopholes in the system. Her arrest serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle retailers face against theft and the importance of stringent enforcement measures.
Walmart remains committed to maintaining a safe shopping environment for customers and employees. However, cases like Ashley Cross’s highlight the challenges in preventing repeat offenders from targeting retail stores. While law enforcement can arrest and charge shoplifters, ensuring they do not return remains an ongoing struggle.
As the case against Ashley Cross unfolds, it raises broader questions about how retailers and law enforcement can work together to curb the rising tide of retail theft.
With billions of dollars lost to shoplifting each year, businesses and policymakers must find effective solutions to protect their stores and deter individuals from engaging in criminal activities. For now, Cross faces legal consequences for her actions, but her case is just one example of a much larger issue affecting retailers nationwide.
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