I am a devout Christian, family man who is disabled and use (will no longer shop at this store) to shop at Wal-Mart and spend about $300-400 monthly. Before I begin let me say, on the 7APR2K5, I had purchased two Biblical Research Books costing a total of about $60!

On the day, 8APR2K5, I went to the store with my wife, son age 6, and daughter age 10 months. Our normal task; would be for me and my children to go to the Deli section and eat or drink something while my wife picked up the items we would purchase. After I would consume the food, I would take either the empty container or take the Price Bar Code up to the cashier for payment. (I was told to do this many times by store employees).

I took the empty containers and Price Bar Codes with me to the cashier along with a full cart of items my wife had wanted. I gave everything to the cashier and had asked if she had scanned the empty containers and Price Bar Code items. The cashier confirmed twice she did. (At this point I usually check it myself, but my son was complaining that he needed to go to the restroom and I wanted to get back home because a bad thunderstorm was coming, so I trusted the cashier and went on to exit the store).

As I exited the store, a lady by the name of Debbie Miller approached me and said I consumed food and did not pay for it. I told her you are crazy, I paid for it. At first she did not want to look at the receipt. When I insisted, she looked and said nothing is on there. I was shocked and looked at the receipt and discovered the items I paid for (over $150!). Her face turned bright red and she left the room, she returned with items from a trashcan. She asked me if these items were mine. She demanded I sign some kind of a form.

I kept repeating lets go talk to the cashier and she can clear this up that I gave her all the Price Bar Codes and Empty Container items. Ask her! If there is a problem it is with the cashier, not me! Ms. Miller refused and left the room again. She returned with another man she said was her boss, he said call the police and secure the videotapes. I said, Sir, you are making a big mistake, I will fight this thing, and I have not done anything wrong. I am a devout Christian; and therefore would never do this! I demanded to see these videotapes so it will prove I gave everything to the cashier. They refused to let me see anything. I said let me call an attorney! They refused!

A few seconds later the Columbia Police G. Wise, badge number # 10855, arrived and began writing an arrest booking. I began telling him the truth and my wife showed up at the door in the back where they had taken me. Officer Wise went into a rage and began yelling at my wife, who had with her my two children. All she was asking (in a normal voice) was what was happening, an employee had showed her where I was. This outrageous officer threatened to have my wife arrested and take my two children to foster home. Because of my illness, I broke down in tears, and kept repeating I did nothing wrong. The store demanded that I be taken to jail, and the enraged officer took me to jail. My rights were never said, I was never told what I was being arrested for, I never saw a warrant until I arrived at the jail!

Strangely, the police took me to another jail in a other county. My family called all night and the next day and could not locate me. They were told there is no one in custody by my name. I even asked the prison when will I go to the bonds court, and I was refused my request, and they even told me I had a five page rap sheet of all kinds of charges. (I have never been put in jail before)! My family got in touch with the courts and demanded I at least be found and released on bond. I was told by the jail that I would be there for 30 days! By the grace of God and answered prayer, I was released the next day.

I still cannot understand why the store manager and police did not want to talk to the cashier. The items were scanned and paid for, and she was the one who scanned them and she knows what the truth is. It seems to be all lies to take down a good Christian family man. I am now fighting this as best I can, and I will sound the trumpet as loud as I can to make the people know what corporations are doing to our freedom! It is out of control and needs to STOP! God Will Give Me Victory!

Todd
Columbia, South Carolina
U.S.A.

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