Police: Walmart Cashier Swapped Counterfeit Bills for Cash

A 40-year-old woman is due in court Aug. 21 on felony charges after allegedly trading phony money for the real thing at the Walmart store, police said.

arrested Cristy Silas, of the 13000 block of Ranchland Drive, after Walmart surveillance cameras allegedly caught the cashier and an accomplice scamming the store out of $500.

Sgt. Mike Fisher said the accomplice, who could not be identified from the grainy video images, would purchase small items, paying with counterfeit bills and receiving real money in exchange.

“Walmart was actively trying to investigate where the shortage was and found it on the video,” Fisher said, adding the alleged theft occurred July 16.

“They turned the video over to us and we placed [Silas] in custody,” he said, adding Silas refused to speak to police or identify her accomplice.

A corporate spokeswoman for the Arkansas-based company declined to comment on the case, referring questions to police, but Fisher said Walmart is known for taking a tough stance on employee theft.

 “They prosecute,” he said. “Unfortunately, in every business, every once in a while, you’re going to get [an employee] that’s trying to scam the system.”

Silas is charged with theft and forgery/possession of false documents. She was released from the Will County jail Aug. 2 after posting 10 percent of $10,000 bond.