News

Visually impaired man charged with stealing from Walmart blames self-checkout kiosk

June 18, 2019

A judge has denied a motion to dismiss charges against a visually impaired man accused of concealing products during transactions at a self-checkout kiosk at a Walmart in Conway, New Hampshire, according to a report in the Union Leader.

Police charged Andrew Airey, 39, of concealing items while ringing up sales at a self-checkout kiosk during five different visits to the store: a frozen pizza, valued at $5.48, May 4; a package of toothbrushes, valued at $1, June 9; a can of corned beef, valued at $3.86, June 13; a bath towel, valued at $7.42, June 29; and a bag of oyster crackers, valued at $2.74, July 3, 2018.

Alfred Catalfo, Airey's lawyer, said his client is innocent and blamed Walmart's self-checkout kiosks. Catalfo said the kiosks are not user friendly for the blind and noted the National Federation of the Blind has sued Walmart in Maryland over the kiosks.

The judge granted the defense's request to ask the Conway police to find out if Walmart has video of Airey and make it available to the defense.