Crime & Safety
Walmart Syringe Total Reaches 15
While last week we reported news of several syringes found by Walmart customers not reported to authorities, another customer Friday reported finding the 15th needle.
Updated Jan. 2
In less than two months, a total of 15 syringes have been found hidden in Cartersville merchandise.
The latest find was what appeared to be a broken syringe with the needle intact in a pair of slippers, The Associated Press reports. A woman Friday reported her daughter found the syringe after a December purchase, but was not poked by the needle.
In addition to our previous report below, here's a recap of headlines related to the developing story:
Find out what's happening in Cartersvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Original Report, Dec. 29
The number of syringes found at has reached 14.
On Monday, a woman found a syringe in the bottom of her shopping bag when she arrived home. That's the 14th time a syringe has been found by shoppers in the last month.
Find out what's happening in Cartersvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
However, three customers turned in found syringes to Walmart employees but never reported to authorities, said Sgt. Jonathan Rogers with the . Walmart employees turned those syringes over to law enforcement, and Rogers said investigators don't know anything about when and where they were found.
It all began after Black Friday when in clothing at the store. Those were discovered in pajamas, socks and a bra package. Other syringes were found in a , men's lounging pants and a greeting card.
Two people , and The Daily Tribune News reported that another person, who found the syringe in a sweater she had purchased, said she hadn't been poked but that she did have a red spot on her arm.
Walmart spokeswoman Dianna Gee has said that Walmart officials "are confident" the store's reportedly extensive surveillance system will identify those responsible.
Call the Bartow County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 770-382-5050, extensions 6029 or 6030, with any information on any of the syringe incidents or on those responsible for hiding them.
Alternately, tipsters can anonymously provide the same information by calling the Cartersville-Bartow County Crime Stoppers tip line at 770-606-TIPS (8477). Rewards are available for information that leads to an arrest in the case.
