‘We appreciate your creativity.’ Man arrested after allegedly scanning grill as soup at Walmart

Dylan Rockwell | Canyon County Sheriff’s Office

The following is a news release from Caldwell Police Department.

On Feb. 2 at 6 p.m., officers were dispatched to Walmart in response to a theft in progress. While en route, dispatch informed responding officers that the suspect, later identified as 32-year-old Dylan Rockwell, had exited the store heading westbound on Cleveland Boulevard in his vehicle and provided a description.

Through their investigation, officers identified Rockwell and intercepted him at his residence. Officers detained him without incident and recovered the stolen merchandise. During questioning, our officers interviewed Rockwell, who admitted to committing several thefts from Walmart over a period of time.

Rockwell admitted to wearing a ring with a barcode, specifically for tomato soup, which he wore on his finger, and would scan large items, causing the system to register the items at a much lower price. On this occasion, Rockwell had stolen a grill, valued at $300, which scanned as the tomato soup.

Rockwell was arrested and charged with felony burglary.

“Sorry, Mr. Rockwell, your tactics didn’t work this time, but we appreciate your creativity. We know that times are tough, but your ingenuity got you some county soup for dinner,” said Rex Ingram, Caldwell chief of police.