Pine Bluff, Arkansas – On the afternoon of July 12, 2024, Detective Lieutenant Derric Neal, who was working off-duty security at the Walmart Supercenter on 5501 South Olive Street, became involved in uncovering a complex theft operation. The case unfolded when Neal was alerted by the store’s Loss Prevention Supervisor about recurrent thefts involving two individuals manipulating the store’s self-checkout system.
Scam Uncovered
The Loss Prevention Supervisor provided Neal with video evidence that captured two males, later identified as 31-year-old Jermaine Scott and 27-year-old Montel Vanderbilt, engaging in fraudulent activities. Over the past month, the duo exploited reloadable Visa cards to illegally withdraw money from self-checkout machines across several Walmart locations.
The mechanism of the scam was cleverly simple yet effective. Scott and Vanderbilt would initiate a transaction under the guise of purchasing a low-cost item. However, instead of completing the purchase, they would load varying amounts onto a Visa debit card. Before finalizing the transaction, they canceled it, which triggered a refund for the amount loaded onto the card plus an equivalent amount in cash, essentially doubling their money through this loophole.
According to the loss prevention supervisor, this scam allowed Vanderbilt and Scott to siphon approximately $12,985.28 from Walmart stores in Stuttgart, Monticello, and Little Rock, Arkansas, within just 30 days.
Pursuit and Arrest
The breakthrough in the case came on July 15, 2024, when the Loss Prevention Supervisor provided updated video footage and still images of the suspects, along with the license plate number of their vehicle. Detective Lieutenant Neal passed this information to Detective Dante Nicholson, who located and initiated a pursuit of the vehicle.
The chase ended shortly, with Montel Vanderbilt attempting to flee on foot after stopping the vehicle. He was quickly apprehended and found to be in possession of suspected narcotics. Jermaine Scott, the passenger, surrendered immediately upon the vehicle’s halt.
Legal Consequences and Ongoing Investigation
Following their arrest, both suspects were interviewed by detectives and subsequently transported to W.C. Dub Brassell Detention Center. They face multiple charges including Felony Theft, Felony Fleeing, three counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Purpose to Deliver, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle to Facilitate a Crime.
The quick and effective response by the Pine Bluff Police highlights the challenges and complexities of modern retail theft, showcasing the importance of vigilant security measures and the swift actions of law enforcement personnel. This case remains active, with the possibility of additional charges as the investigation progresses.
