Family Dollar's Closure Sparks Customer Influx & Theft Concerns

Family Dollar's store-closing sale in Park Falls caused an influx of customers and theft complaints, one which was unwarranted.Photo byMy Price County

In March 2024, Family Dollar in Park Falls announced they would be closing. According to a police report, the 50% off store-wide sale created an influx of customers, which filled the entire parking lot with overflow onto 3rd Avenue South.

An employee of Family Dollar contacted the Park Falls Police Department on March 19, 2024 to state that people were actively walking out of the store with items that were stolen. The employee requested that the police stay on the scene to act as "loss prevention officers" on behalf of Family Dollar.

An officer explained to the employee that law enforcement officers employed by the City of Park Falls are not loss prevention officers that should have been employed by Family Dollar if needed. The officer further explained the police needed to remain open for other calls that could be occurring in the city so they could respond to those needs.

The officer told the employee that if any of the Family Dollar staff observed people walking out of the store with items they suspected had been stolen, the police could assist with that. The officer said he would patrol the area for deterrence purposes.

Later that day, the store reported a theft to the police. While taking that complaint, the officer was notified of a second theft. A man had taken a photo of the vehicle that allegedly stole an item from the store, and police were able to trace the registration of the vehicle to the owner of the vehicle. Another officer went to that man's house to investigate the potential theft. He found that the man had an air fryer/crock pot in his vehicle along with other items he paid for. The man showed the receipt to the officer, but the air fryer was not on the receipt. The police temporarily took possession of the air fryer.

Meanwhile, the first officer talked with witnesses and viewed the surveillance footage that showed a man walking into the store, grabbing an air fryer, and walking out the front door with it. The manager stated the air fryer was originally $25 but was selling for $12.50 due to the half price store closing sale.

The officer departed the store and made phone contact with the individual in question. The man stated he went through all his receipts but could not find the charge for the item. He explained that he saw a lady in front of him at the register with an air fryer that he also wanted. He told the cashier to add it to his bill because he was going to buy one, too. The man thought the item was paid for and on his receipt, but the clerk never billed him for it. His receipt showed he purchased over $300 worth of items at the store that day. He said he certainly would not steal a $12.50 crockpot. Police allowed the man to go to the store to discuss the situation with the clerk to see if they could sort out what really happened. The officer explained that if he didn't hear back from him or the store by that Friday, he would be issued a city ordinance citation for retail theft.

On March 25, 2024, the man called the police department. He said he talked with the general manager at the store, and the two of them determined that a miscommunication had occurred rather than a theft. Police confirmed this with Family Dollar. The store manager stated the man had purchased over $1,000 worth of items from the store in the past few days, and realizing this was just a misunderstanding between the cashier and the customer, the store did not wish to pursue theft charges.

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