“Mom & Pregnant Teen Pull Off Bizarre Walmart Scam… Using Kool-Aid Packets?!”
A shocking — and almost unbelievable — theft scheme has landed a mother and her pregnant daughter in police custody after investigators say the pair used Kool-Aid packets to steal hundreds of dollars’ worth of items from a Walmart store. The strange crime has now gone viral, leaving the internet stunned that something so small could be part of such a bold attempt.
According to police, the duo entered the Walmart with a shopping cart and began filling it with household items, groceries, and higher-priced goods. What store security didn’t see at first was the daughter subtly carrying several Kool-Aid packets — each worth just a few cents. The plan, authorities say, involved scanning the tiny packets at self-checkout instead of the actual items in their cart, tricking the machine into registering almost nothing.
Loss prevention staff eventually spotted the suspicious behavior on the store’s cameras. The women appeared calm and casual, scanning extremely cheap items while loading pricey merchandise into bags. What tipped the staff off completely was the total price — far too low for a full cart. When officers arrived, the mother and daughter were confronted right at the entrance.
Bodycam footage shows the moment police approached the pair, asking them to step aside to discuss the items in their cart. The women at first seemed confused, but officers quickly explained that the store’s cameras recorded every scan — or lack of one. The Kool-Aid packets, which were tucked into a hand, were used repeatedly to “ring up” the entire cart for only a few dollars.
Online viewers were stunned at how bold — and unusual — the method was. The story immediately sparked thousands of reactions:
- “Stealing with Kool-Aid packets? This is next-level risky AND ridiculous.”
- “Why do people keep trying self-checkout scams? It never works.”
- “The saddest part is dragging a pregnant daughter into this mess.”
- “Walmart cameras see everything. They weren’t getting away with that.”
Police stated that the items in the cart totaled well over $200, while the actual checkout price was under $10. The women were detained and charged with theft, though the pregnant daughter was handled carefully due to medical concerns.
Authorities emphasized that stores are now using more advanced surveillance systems than ever. Theft at self-checkout — especially schemes involving scanning one item for another — is extremely easy for software to detect. Many stores are even using AI to flag suspicious patterns instantly.
While the case has taken on a viral, almost bizarre tone because of the Kool-Aid twist, officers involved say it’s a serious situation. Not only could the charges affect the mother’s and daughter’s records, but the unborn child adds another level of concern, as stress and legal consequences may impact the family further.
Commenters online continue to discuss the story — some shocked, some amused, and many frustrated that something so unnecessary led to an arrest that could have been avoided entirely.