The Oskaloosa Police Department responded to a report of repeated thefts at a local retail store involving a sticker-switching scheme. Officers learned that individuals were altering price tags on merchandise, paying the lower amount, and leaving without paying the full value of the items.
On February 27th at approximately 4:57 p.m., the Oskaloosa Police Department responded to a report of theft at the Walmart located in the 2000 block of A Ave West. Upon arrival, officers spoke with an employee who reported that two women had been repeatedly engaging in a sticker-switching scheme at the store between January 21st and February 24th. One of the woman was identified as Courtney Graber, 33, of Oskaloosa.
According to court records, Garber would swap price stickers on items, pay the lower sticker price at checkout, and then leave the store without paying the full amount for the items.
Criminal complaints indicate that Garber stole a total of $1,030.20 during this period. Specific incidents documented in court filings include:
- February 6: Paid $17.94, stole $65.80
- February 6: Paid $16.20, stole $18.48
- February 7: Paid $46.12, stole $126.40
- February 8: Paid $30.45, stole $154.92
- February 9: Paid $33.57, stole $72.90
- February 9: Paid $42.60, stole $146.72
- February 11: Paid $95.56, stole $61.70
- February 12: Paid $12.92, stole $48.92
- February 19: Paid $24.01, stole $41.98
- February 19: Paid $14.36, stole $59.98
- February 21: Paid $12.17, stole $43.97
- February 24: Paid $20.85, stole $106.47
Records also show that Garber has a prior theft conviction (5th-degree theft) in Monroe County on May 24, 2022.
Law enforcement reports that all receipts, photographs of Garber, and documentation of the stolen items have been collected as evidence. A warrant was served on March 8th, and Garber was arrested and transported to the Mahaska County Jail. She was later released on a promise to appear in court.
Garber waived her initial hearing, originally scheduled for March 11th, and is now charged with third-degree theft, classified as an aggravated misdemeanor.
Editors Note: All information was obtained from court documents related to the ongoing investigation.
