Shocking twist: On-duty cop caught red-handed in Walmart donut heist
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It's not every day that a story like this comes along—one that sounds more like the plot of a sitcom than real life.
Imagine strolling through the aisles of your local Walmart, only to find that the person sneaking items past the self-checkout isn't just any customer, but an on-duty police officer.
And what’s on his list? Donuts, snacks, and everyday groceries—except he wasn’t paying for all of them.
This surprising case has sparked conversations about trust, accountability, and the growing concerns surrounding self-checkout systems.
The former officer, Mark Leenerts, who also served as a National Guard chaplain, has since pleaded guilty to theft and official misconduct.
His actions not only cost him his badge but also led to a 12-month probation sentence.
Investigators discovered that between June and September 2023, he had pulled off this self-checkout scheme at least 13 times before being caught.
Leenerts' method was deceptively simple yet bold. At self-checkout, he would appear to scan items while skillfully skipping others, sometimes stacking products to trick the scanner or using quick hand movements to bag unpaid goods.
His unpaid haul included everything from Hawaiian rolls and Lunchables to Oreos, M&Ms, deodorant, and even dog food.
Adding to the audacity of it all, he often carried out these thefts while in full uniform, duty weapon and all.
Even after being placed on administrative leave, he returned—this time wearing his National Guard uniform—and walked out with three extra boxes of donuts.
The scheme unraveled when Walmart’s asset protection team noticed repeated thefts at two locations.
A review of surveillance footage showed Leenerts skipping items at checkout, with clear discrepancies between what he bagged and what was on his receipt.
If he accidentally over-scanned an item, he would call over an employee for a correction—but mysteriously, those mistakes never seemed to happen with the items he didn’t scan.
His actions led to serious consequences.
The Kansas Commission on Peace Officers' Standards and Training revoked his law enforcement certification, citing a failure to meet moral character standards.
The Kansas National Guard acknowledged the case but has provided limited comments, as it remains an ongoing personnel matter.
This case highlights a growing challenge for retailers: preventing theft at self-checkout.
In response, stores across the country have introduced new security measures, such as locking high-theft items in cabinets, installing more cameras, requiring receipt checks, and even using carts with built-in locking technology.
The Kansas Highway Patrol supported the investigation, which ultimately led to Leenerts’ resignation.
By stepping down, he avoided further scrutiny within the agency.
His sentence includes probation, fines equal to the value of the stolen goods, and additional court fees.
At its core, this case is about more than just stolen donuts—it raises important questions about trust, accountability, and the integrity we expect from those in positions of authority.
It also shines a light on the evolving challenges of self-checkout systems, where businesses must strike a balance between convenience and security.
Read next: Your credit card interest rates could change—here’s what you need to know
As we at The GrayVine reflect on this story, we’d love to hear from you. Have you ever witnessed something similar at a store? How do you feel about the increasing reliance on self-checkout? Do you think stores are doing enough to prevent theft, or are these new security measures making shopping more frustrating?
Imagine strolling through the aisles of your local Walmart, only to find that the person sneaking items past the self-checkout isn't just any customer, but an on-duty police officer.
And what’s on his list? Donuts, snacks, and everyday groceries—except he wasn’t paying for all of them.
This surprising case has sparked conversations about trust, accountability, and the growing concerns surrounding self-checkout systems.
The former officer, Mark Leenerts, who also served as a National Guard chaplain, has since pleaded guilty to theft and official misconduct.
His actions not only cost him his badge but also led to a 12-month probation sentence.
Investigators discovered that between June and September 2023, he had pulled off this self-checkout scheme at least 13 times before being caught.
The stereotype that cops love donuts just took an unexpected twist—one officer was caught stealing them while in uniform! Image Source: YouTube / @prestigememes4600.
The "skip scan" scam unveiled
Leenerts' method was deceptively simple yet bold. At self-checkout, he would appear to scan items while skillfully skipping others, sometimes stacking products to trick the scanner or using quick hand movements to bag unpaid goods.
His unpaid haul included everything from Hawaiian rolls and Lunchables to Oreos, M&Ms, deodorant, and even dog food.
Adding to the audacity of it all, he often carried out these thefts while in full uniform, duty weapon and all.
Even after being placed on administrative leave, he returned—this time wearing his National Guard uniform—and walked out with three extra boxes of donuts.
The investigation and fallout
The scheme unraveled when Walmart’s asset protection team noticed repeated thefts at two locations.
A review of surveillance footage showed Leenerts skipping items at checkout, with clear discrepancies between what he bagged and what was on his receipt.
If he accidentally over-scanned an item, he would call over an employee for a correction—but mysteriously, those mistakes never seemed to happen with the items he didn’t scan.
His actions led to serious consequences.
The Kansas Commission on Peace Officers' Standards and Training revoked his law enforcement certification, citing a failure to meet moral character standards.
The Kansas National Guard acknowledged the case but has provided limited comments, as it remains an ongoing personnel matter.
Also read: Cybersecurity concern at Kroger? Shoppers in uproar over alleged new policy—here’s what you need to know
Retailers ramp up anti-theft measures
This case highlights a growing challenge for retailers: preventing theft at self-checkout.
In response, stores across the country have introduced new security measures, such as locking high-theft items in cabinets, installing more cameras, requiring receipt checks, and even using carts with built-in locking technology.
The Kansas Highway Patrol supported the investigation, which ultimately led to Leenerts’ resignation.
By stepping down, he avoided further scrutiny within the agency.
His sentence includes probation, fines equal to the value of the stolen goods, and additional court fees.
At its core, this case is about more than just stolen donuts—it raises important questions about trust, accountability, and the integrity we expect from those in positions of authority.
It also shines a light on the evolving challenges of self-checkout systems, where businesses must strike a balance between convenience and security.
Read next: Your credit card interest rates could change—here’s what you need to know
As we at The GrayVine reflect on this story, we’d love to hear from you. Have you ever witnessed something similar at a store? How do you feel about the increasing reliance on self-checkout? Do you think stores are doing enough to prevent theft, or are these new security measures making shopping more frustrating?
