Law enforcement and store management say it’s business as usual at Walmart with safety a top priority

  • By Robin Hauenstein
  • December 9, 2010
  • 272
                        
If there are strange things happening at the Millersburg Walmart, store management and local law enforcement officials haven’t heard much about them. An e-mail has been circulating about three suspicious men at the store one night. In the e-mail, one man closely follows a woman around the store, and at the exit, there are two other men, in uniforms for a company that doesn’t exist. As the woman and her friends left the store, the men got into pickup trucks and left. Without giving specifics, the e-mail quotes third- and fourth-hand sources who claim there are problems at the store. Millersburg Police Chief Tom Vaughn has seen the e-mail and said his department has received no reports to verify such things reportedly happening. Vaughn said a singular report was filed Nov. 5, with the Holmes County Sheriff’s Department, regarding an individual who complained of a man following her closely throughout the store. However, Vaughn said that he has spoken with the store’s loss prevention person, who frequently works nights, and nothing suspicious has been seen by him or reported by store patrons. Fran Jackson, manager of the Millersburg Walmart, issued the following statement: “The safety and security of our customers and associates has always been a top priority for us.” She continued to say that “every store, including the Millersburg Walmart, puts a lot of focus on its security and crime prevention measures. We also work carefully with the police department and appreciate their efforts to help keep our store safe for our customers, associates and their families.” Jackson reiterated the store’s willingness to assist customers at any time. “If a customer feels uncomfortable walking in our parking lot, we would be more than happy to provide an escort at any time.” In a release sent Nov. 9 by the police department, Vaughn noted, “of the incidents described in the e-mail, only some of the facts were detailed in the report that was taken by law enforcement in early November.” The e-mail also states that a young girl was closely followed out of the store’s parking lot, and she took back roads to Hiland High School, trying to lose the car, which continued behind her. When she entered the school grounds, the car drove away. “We’ve not had anything reported to us,” Vaughn said. He reiterated that no other reports have been filed, nor accusations made. Vaughn did stress that if patrons encounter suspicious behavior or feel threatened, they should report it, to law enforcement and store officials. “At all times, you should be aware of your surroundings at Walmart or any store. If something appears strange or out of place…report it to a store employee.”


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