Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Alvaro Antonio Arteaga, aged 59, was taken into custody yesterday, accused of altering price tags to facilitate paying less in at least five separate purchase instances over a month-long period.
Around 7:30 a.m. on September 22, an officer from the Gainesville Police Department responded to Walmart at Butler Plaza located at 2900 SW 42nd Street. There, a Loss Prevention Officer provided proof of five scenarios where Arteaga, who is an employee at the store, was accused of changing price tags.
On August 16, he allegedly paid $11.53 for a steak priced at $56.53 and paid $2.82 for a pork roast priced at $29.40.
On August 27, he allegedly selected two bags of nectarines but only scanned one bag, valued at $1.32.
On August 29, he allegedly selected two packages of biscuits but only scanned one, valued at $2.17.
On September 5, he allegedly paid $15.98 for a shirt priced at $39.98 after switching tags.
On September 12, it is alleged that he bought a package of chicken for $6.38, which was originally priced at $15.70; he paid $6.09 for ground beef with a price tag of $23.94, and spent $6.11 on steaks originally priced at $45.91.
All of the incidents were reportedly captured on store surveillance video.
In an interview with store management, Arteaga reportedly said he knew the prices had been switched, but his brother did it.
After being read his Miranda rights, Arteaga reportedly denied altering any tags but admitted to completing the purchases using his bank card. He claimed his brother was responsible for the price changes and that he advised his brother against it due to potential consequences, yet he proceeded with the purchases. When questioned about the unusually low prices, Arteaga stated he did not notice them initially. However, he later allegedly altered his account, claiming he only became aware of the switched tags after making the purchases.
Arteaga has been charged with engaging in a scheme to defraud. He has no known criminal history, and Judge Sheree Lancaster set bail at $5,000.
Reports of arrests are drawn from information provided by law enforcement agencies. Mentioned charges are based on arrest reports and/or court documents and remain allegations. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
