The latest caper involving a clandestine barcode operation has landed an Idaho man, Dylan Rockwell, behind bars. This intricate theft scheme, which employed a physical ring with a concealed barcode for tomato soup, saw Rockwell swindling high-value items from a Walmart store in Caldwell, an outlying suburb of Boise. The Caldwell Police Department revealed in a statement on Monday that Rockwell had confessed to utilizing the ring to scan fake barcodes, allowing him to purchase expensive products at a fraction of their actual cost.
The audacious incident transpired on a Sunday evening when law enforcement officers were alerted to an ongoing theft at the Walmart outlet. As police rushed to the scene, Rockwell made a hasty exit from the store, jumping into his vehicle and speeding down Cleveland Boulevard in a westward direction, according to the CPD. Fortunately, Rockwell was swiftly apprehended at his residence, with the stolen goods – including a $300 grill – recovered by authorities.
During interrogation, Rockwell conceded to perpetrating numerous thefts at the same Walmart location over an unspecified period. As a consequence, he was taken into custody and now faces charges of felony burglary and misdemeanor petit theft, as documented in the Canyon County online booking system. The question of legal representation for Rockwell remains unanswered at this time.
Chief of Police Rex Ingram of Caldwell extended a lighthearted message to Rockwell in the official statement, acknowledging his inventive tactics while highlighting the futility of his criminal endeavors. “Sorry Mr. Rockwell, your tactics didn’t work this time but we appreciate your creativity,” remarked Chief Ingram. “We know that times are tough but your ingenuity got you some county soup for dinner.”
As of Thursday, Rockwell is being held at the Canyon County Jail, as confirmed by NBC News.
