By ALIN HETT
Hays Post
An alleged theft attempt at the Hays Walmart ended with four arrests after quick communication between Walmart employees, the Hays Police Department and the Kansas Highway Patrol.
Deputy Chief Tim Greenwood said Walmart's asset protection team received information through an internal network that an alleged suspect was allegedly attempting to fraudulently purchase almost $2,000 worth of electronics using what Greenwood described as a "Spark" app.
Greenwood said the alleged suspect, a 17-year-old juvenile, allegedly went directly to the electronics department before Walmart employees intervened and asked to verify the order. After determining the transaction was allegedly fraudulent, the juvenile allegdly ran from the store before leaving with any merchandise.
"The asset protection department has got a really good network," Greenwood said. "Their stores talk and communicate, and their database is similar to ours."
While officers were already en route to the store, Walmart employees provided a description of the alleged suspect and the getaway vehicle that he jumped into, including which side of the vehicle the juvenile entered, Greenwood said.
Hays Police relayed that information to the Kansas Highway Patrol, which located the vehicle containing the alleged suspects on Interstate 70 and conducted a high-risk traffic stop.
Authorities arrested three adults along with the juvenile.
The adults were identified as 21-year-old Makhi Ammons, 26-year-old DeMichael Evans and 24-year-old Devin Imari Johnson, all from Michigan. The juvenile has not been identified because of age.
The three adults each face requested charges of attempted theft, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and contributing to child's misconduct.
Greenwood said marijuana and drug paraphernalia were allegedly located inside the vehicle when the Kansas Highway Patrol stopped the vehicle.
Although no merchandise was stolen, Greenwood said investigators believe the case could extend beyond Ellis County.
"There is some indication that this is part of a larger network," Greenwood said. "They are not locals. They are traveling, and they are from the East Coast."
Greenwood credited Walmart employees, Hays Police officers and the Kansas Highway Patrol for working together to quickly locate the alleged suspects before they could leave the area.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities determine whether the group may be connected to similar alleged theft attempts in other communities.