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palm coast, florida – A Florida teacher is accused of stealing more than $3,000 worth of merchandise from Walmart over a five-month period using various “organized” theft methods, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Anthony Zaksevich turned himself in Tuesday on an active felony warrant, according to Flagler County court records. He was charged with grand larceny in connection with the alleged thefts that occurred between May and October of this year. The 45-year-old entered a not guilty plea Thursday, according to court records.
Zaksevich, a Flagler school teacher, is currently on paid administrative leave due to the theft charges, a school district spokesperson confirmed to FOX 35 on Friday.
The alleged thefts all occurred at the Walmart on Cypress Point Parkway in Palm Coast and began in May, according to an affidavit from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators with Walmart Asset Protection said Zaksevich used “ticket exchanges” and “skip scans” to commit the theft.
According to the affidavit, ticket swapping involves “using cheaper tickets, such as Kool-Aid packet barcodes, to undercharge for the item being scanned.” Skip scanning is when a customer “makes it appear as if an item has been scanned at a self-checkout, when in fact the item has not been scanned.”
There were 40 ticket exchanges and skip scans, resulting in a total loss to Walmart of $3,178.61, according to the affidavit.
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The affidavit states that Walmart surveillance footage showed Zaksevich “holding (in a cup) the barcode of a very inexpensive item and using it to scan a much more expensive item.” He said it was visible. In addition to this and the skip scan, it is suspected that the company also committed “failed to read the weight of fruit and vegetable items” and “unauthorized use of countermeasure devices in inventory management equipment.”
“While this sustained and systematic behavior cannot be considered wrong, it is a highly intentional act of theft,” Walmart Asset Protection investigators said in a statement.
There were three 30-day periods during which Zaksevich allegedly “stole a total of more than $750.”
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June 11th to July 8th: $790.99
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July 22nd to August 20th: $829.63
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August 26th to September 24th: $891.27
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Deputies met with Szaksewicz on Oct. 16 and informed him of the pending charges that the Sheriff’s Office plans to submit to the State Attorney’s Office for review and consideration for prosecution. He asked the lawmaker if he could contact Walmart to arrange financial restitution rather than prosecution, but the lawmaker did not respond.
“[The Walmart Asset Protection investigator]advised[the agent]that the defendant had called her and told her he had already made a mistake and inquired about restitution. In response,[the investigator]”We responded that we want to prosecute Walmart for all crimes committed.”
Mr. Zaksevich’s arraignment is scheduled for January 29, 2024.