A Mountain Home woman accused of repeatedly stealing merchandise from the Walmart on U.S. 62 has pleaded guilty to multiple counts of theft of property. Dorothy Gore, 49, of Buford Road, appeared in Baxter County Circuit Court on August 17, where she admitted responsibility for a series of incidents involving the store's self-checkout lanes.
According to court documents, Gore stole items on at least 14 separate occasions beginning November 1, 2024. Prosecutors allege she used a method known as "skip-scanning," where some items are intentionally not scanned before attempting to leave the store. Investigators built the case with the help of Walmart asset protection staff, who provided video surveillance and records to document the thefts.
In one instance in February 2025, Gore was stopped by store staff after passing all points of sale without paying for certain items. At that time, the unpaid merchandise was recovered, and she was issued a trespass warning barring her from returning to the property.
As part of her guilty plea, Gore was sentenced under the provisions of Act 346, Arkansas’s first offender law. Under these terms, she was placed on probation for five years and ordered to pay approximately $1,000 in restitution to Walmart. A note included in her plea agreement indicates she may be eligible for early release from probation once the restitution is fully paid. If she successfully completes her probation without further legal troubles, Gore may petition the court to seal her criminal record.
The case underscores the importance of store surveillance and internal loss prevention efforts in addressing theft at self-checkout lanes, a growing concern for retailers nationwide.