Banned West Virginia Man Returns to Walmart, Allegedly Uses Gift Bag Trick

A West Virginia man who had previously been issued a trespass notice from a Fayetteville Walmart returned to the same store on April 26, 2025, and allegedly stole nearly $300 worth of playing cards using a gift bag concealment method at self-checkout. Juwuan Watts was identified after a Walmart Asset Protection Associate alerted police around 8:30 p.m. Surveillance footage reportedly confirmed the incident. As of initial reporting, no formal charges had been announced and the investigation was ongoing.

The Alleged Method

According to the Fayetteville Police Department, Watts retrieved a shopping cart from the parking lot and entered through the general merchandise entrance. He proceeded to the playing cards aisle, selected merchandise, and placed items inside gift bags from the celebration section. He then approached self-checkout and allegedly exited without scanning any of the items. Officers say he loaded the merchandise into a black Nissan Rogue parked outside.

Prior Ban and Legal Exposure

Authorities noted that Watts had previously been issued a formal trespass notice barring him from the Fayetteville Walmart. His return to the premises constitutes a separate violation of that notice, compounding any shoplifting charges with a trespassing offense. Entering a property after being formally trespassed is a separate criminal matter under West Virginia law.

The case reflects a wider trend of self-checkout exploitation at major retailers. Loss prevention specialists have noted rising use of bag concealment and skip-scanning as tools employed by repeat shoplifters. Walmart and other retailers have responded by experimenting with receipt verification systems and increased camera coverage at self-checkout terminals.

References: THEFT BUST Smirking Walmart shopper banned from store after using sick ‘gift bag’ trick at self-checkout | Man Caught Shoplifting Nearly $300 in Playing Cards from Fayetteville Walmart