Woman Accused in Four Walmart Thefts, Including Generator and Fan Scheme

JONESBORO, Ark. — A suspect was arrested after Jonesboro police investigated four separate theft reports at Walmart and alleged she used self-checkout schemes to avoid paying full price for merchandise.

Amber Nicolle McGinnis, 48, was arrested on four counts of shoplifting, second offense, a Class D felony.

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McGinnis’ next court date is May 18. Judge Barbara Halsey set bail at $50,000 cash or surety.

According to a probable cause affidavit, officers on March 23, 2026, took four separate theft reports from the Walmart at 1911 West Parker Road involving the same two suspects, identified through store records and surveillance as Amber and Mark McGinnis.

The affidavit states the first incident happened March 9, 2026, when both suspects were observed at a self-checkout station using a “skip-scanning” method, in which some items were scanned while others were placed directly into bags without being scanned. Police said the suspects exited the store with unpaid merchandise totaling $36.28.

On March 14, 2026, investigators said both suspects were seen scanning merchandise, including clothing, but evidence showed they obtained some items at a lesser price by switching barcodes on merchandise before leaving the store. According to the affidavit, they completed a transaction for less than $10, though the actual value of the items taken was $56.32.

The affidavit states that on March 17, 2026, the suspects entered the store and selected a generator valued at $398. At self-checkout, they allegedly scanned a fraudulent barcode attached to the box, causing a random item to ring up for $26. They paid the lower amount and left the store with the generator, according to police.

In a fourth incident on March 22, 2026, police said the suspects selected a generator and a fan and again attempted to scan barcodes for lower-value items. Walmart employees stopped them before they could leave, and the suspects abandoned the generator and ran from the store with only the items they had successfully paid for, according to the affidavit. The value of the attempted theft was listed as $477.84.

The affidavit also states both suspects had prior theft convictions.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.