CARTERSVILLE, Ga.,None — Bartow County deputies are not discounting the possibility that recent syringes found in the Cartersville Walmart may have been left by so-called copycats.
"There's always a possibility," Investigator Russell Ballard said. "But like anything else, you have to look outside the box and see what all is going on, whether or not they're legitimate cases or if, in fact, they're copycat cases."
A woman came forward recently saying she found a needle inside a pair of slippers she bought from the Walmart last month, bringing the the total number of syringes found there since late November to 15.
"It's agitating to us to not be able to find out what's going on at this point," Ballard said.
Ballard said investigators are plowing through hours and hours of security video in the hopes they may be able to spot the culprit or culprits. He also stated Walmart has brought in extra loss prevention officers to assist in the investigation.
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"We're working in correlation with Walmart security," Ballard said. "As it is, it just takes so long to review video."
Walmart spokesperson Dianna Gee issued a statement Tuesday, saying, "We continue to assist law enforcement with their investigation. Those efforts include bringing in additional associates to review video and monitor the sales floor as well as physically inspect apparel items on a daily basis. We hope that whoever is responsible for these senseless acts will be found very soon and held accountable for their actions."
Channel 2's Richard Elliot attempted to talk to one of the shoppers who told deputies they found a needle in their purchase on Dec. 26, but they declined to talk.
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