A 29-year-old Sullivan man was arrested Oct. 16 on three charges of theft with a prior conviction after purchasing items from a local store only to refund the purchase without returning the items the following day.

Linton Police Department Officer Nathanael Kilgore presented Sept. 30 at Linton Walmart at the request of an Asset Protection Associate (APA). The APA requested Officer Kilgore’s presence when terminating Dakota Wayne Carpenter’s employment. 

According to a probable cause affidavit written by Kilgore, the ASA explained that Carpenter purchased groceries, but returned the money to his debit card and kept the groceries. Carpenter, who worked in the electronics department, alleged he bought groceries but the next day took his receipt to a point-of-sale register in the electronics department and refunded the payment to his debit card. 

This activity prompted the ASA to look at Capenter’s purchase history. While doing so, he found two other instances in which Carpenter made purchases and later refunded them back to his debit card. The refunds totaled $151.47 and occurred on Sept. 2, Sept. 9, and Sept. 21.

When speaking with the ASA, Carpenter allegedly admitted to refunding the three transactions.

Officer Kilgore watched surveillance footage provided by Walmart and observed Carpenter purchasing items, and then later refunding them. 

A check of Carpenter’s history showed he had an unrelated conviction for criminal conversion in Vigo County in July 2013. 

He is facing three charges of theft with a prior conversion for theft or conversion, all Level 6 felonies. 

Carpenter was transported to Greene County Jail where his bond was set at $12,000 surety with 10% cash allowed.