Boone County Traffic Stop Leads to Arrests for Alleged Barcode Scanning Fraud

Arkansas State Police arrested two Texans Monday on suspicion of retail theft, possibly through barcode scanning, in multiple states, a news release said Friday.

On Monday, at approximately 6:15 p.m., a state trooper stopped Terry White, 52, of Pasadena, Texas, and Robert Diaz, 34, of Spring, Texas, on U.S. 65 in Boone County for an alleged traffic violation, the release said.

During the stop, the officer noticed 22 unopened garage door openers in the bed and rear floor of the truck, the release states. White and Diaz were unable to provide receipts or proof of purchase for the items, which each sell for about $200.

White had several active warrants for retail thefts in Alabama, Florida and Kentucky, the release said. Shipping labels on the boxes indicated they came from a Lowe’s store in Bentonville.

Authorities believe the two men were involved in a multi-state barcode trading scheme, and investigators have linked the two men to at least $160,000 in stolen items in multiple states, the release said.

Barcode swapping typically involves swapping the barcode of a more expensive item with the barcode of a less expensive item, allowing the would-be thief to appear to scan the item and walk away with it for much less than the retail price.

White and Diaz are both charged with theft and are being held in the Boone County Jail, the release said.