Walmart cardboard thefts unfounded

Detectives are backing off their hunt for the alleged cardboard caper at the Hayden Walmart.

Turns out it was a subcontractor for the company picking up the material.

"One of our patrol deputies spotted a truck at a business in Hayden that matched the description of the truck in the alleged thefts," said Kootenai County Sheriff's Office Lt. Stu Miller. "In turn, detectives contacted the trucking company. They are subcontractors of the main contractor. The thefts are unfounded."

Walmart reported two recent thefts tallying $5,400 worth of stacked cardboard.

In both cases, surveillance video showed the same man and semi taking off with the material at the rear of the store at 550 W. Honeysuckle Ave. He loaded the cardboard with a forklift.

Miller said each time someone picks up a shipment of cardboard at Walmart they leave a bill of lading.

"So it appears it may be more of an accounting issue with Walmart than a theft," Miller said.

Miller said detectives planned to meet with Walmart officials to discuss the development in the case. Detectives on Wednesday asked deputies to no longer seek the "suspect," he said.

A manager at the Hayden Walmart on Wednesday said he couldn't immediately comment.

Meanwhile, Coeur d'Alene police are investigating a case involving the theft of 100 bales of cardboard with an estimated value of $10,000 from the rear of the Fred Meyer store at 560 W. Kathleen Ave., Sgt. Christie Wood said.

The thefts are believed to have taken place between Jan. 7 and Jan. 21. A Fred Meyer employee said they realized the cardboard was missing after reading about the alleged thefts at the Hayden Walmart in The Press.