W.Va. police say Lowe's clerk thought way to man's heart was through discounted merchandise

Associated Press

Last update: November 12, 2009 - 7:19 PM

NITRO, W.Va. - A former home improvement store clerk in West Virginia has been charged with discounting $20,000 worth of merchandise to win a man's heart. Nitro police arrested 20-year-old Katie Lynn Smith Thursday on a fraudulent schemes charge. She had worked at Lowe's.

A criminal complaint in county court says a security video shows Smith selling the man a pressure washer worth several hundred dollars for $3.66. That's the price of an 80-pound bag of concrete.

The complaint says Smith admitted incorrectly ringing up nearly $20,000 worth of merchandise in four months for "a male she desired as a boyfriend."

Smith's phone number isn't listed and police spokesman Ray Blake says she doesn't have an attorney yet.

Police couldn't say whether the scheme helped her romantic prospects.

Recent Nation stories

California man arrested for allegedly paying teenage boys to spit in his face - November 12, 2009

California man arrested for allegedly paying teenage boys to spit in his face - A 39-year-old Southern California man has been arrested for misdemeanor child annoyance after allegedly paying a teenager $31 to spit in his face. The Ventura County Sheriff's Department says Charles Hersel was arrested Wednesday in a sting operation at a mall in Thousand Oaks. He's free from jail pending a court hearing. More

Comments are temporarily unavailable

Our reader comments feature is currently undergoing maintenance. Please check back to comment on this story and join the discussion. We apologize for any inconvenience.