A Powder Springs woman is accused of turning Walmart’s checkout technology into a digital escape hatch, allegedly walking out with at least $25,000 in merchandise across Cobb County. Investigators say the suspected scheme stretched across several months and involved repeatedly pretending to complete payment through the store’s Scan & Go system.
Soni Suncerea Wells faces multiple shoplifting charges after investigators linked her to at least 25 alleged thefts, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. Court records cited in the report identify 15 specific incidents between December 27, 2025, and March 31, 2026, at Walmart locations in Marietta and Austell.
The Alleged Fake Payment Routine
Walmart’s legitimate Scan & Go feature lets shoppers scan items on their phones, confirm payment in the app and scan a QR code at a self-checkout kiosk, according to Walmart’s official instructions. Police allege Wells mimicked that process by scanning items, waiting for the checkout kiosk to time out, shutting off her phone and leaving with unpaid merchandise.
The alleged thefts ranged from a $178.51 haul on January 6 to more than $1,300 in merchandise on January 21, court records show. Investigators said the activity was concentrated at two Marietta stores, while another alleged theft occurred at the Walmart on East-West Connector in Austell; police also cautioned that additional incidents outside Cobb County may not yet be known, the report noted.
Retail Theft Costs Can Reach Shoppers
The case lands amid a broader Georgia push against retail theft. The Georgia Attorney General’s Office estimates that businesses in the state lose more than $3 billion each year to retail theft, though that statewide estimate does not specifically measure the alleged Cobb County losses in this case.
What Happens Next
Wells was booked into the Cobb County Adult Detention Center as the case moves through court, and court documents indicate she also has active warrants related to missed court appearances in neighboring counties. The allegations remain unproven unless established in court, and investigators have not confirmed whether anyone else helped drive or organize the suspected thefts.
