Man Caught Using DIY Barcode Ring at Walmart Self-checkout To Scan $300 Grill As Tomato Soup

An Idaho man's attempt to outsmart Walmart's self-checkout system using a homemade barcode ring has landed him in hot water with the law. Dylan Rockwell, 32, was recently apprehended after trying to purchase a $300 grill for the price of a can of tomato soup at a Walmart store in Idaho.

According to authorities, Rockwell confessed to using his crafty homemade barcode ring on multiple occasions to score expensive items at significantly lower prices. His luck ran out when he tried to pull off the scam with the pricey grill, catching the attention of Walmart staff and law enforcement.

The ingenious scheme involved Rockwell wearing a ring inscribed with a barcode that corresponded to the price of a cheap can of tomato soup. When the self-checkout scanner was unattended, he would slyly scan the ring instead of the actual items, allowing him to pay a fraction of the real cost.

While a can of Great Value Tomato Condensed Soup typically costs around $0.70, Rockwell attempted to pass off the $300 grill as the inexpensive soup, triggering suspicions and leading to his eventual arrest.

Police were alerted to the theft in progress at the Idaho Walmart on Feb. 2 and swiftly traced Rockwell to his residence, located approximately 25 miles from Boise, the state capital. Upon questioning, Rockwell reportedly admitted to his deceptive tactics, acknowledging his repeated exploits at the store.

Calwell Chief of Police Rex Ingram commended Rockwell's creativity but emphasized that his illicit actions would not go unpunished. "Sorry Mr. Rockwell, your tactics didn’t work this time but we appreciate your creativity," stated Chief Ingram. He added, "We know that times are tough but your ingenuity got you some county soup for dinner."

Authorities managed to recover the stolen grill from Rockwell's home, and the 32-year-old now faces a felony burglary charge for his fraudulent activities at Walmart.