Police were called to Deltona Walmart 465 times in 1 year

Deputies in Volusia County are responding to hundreds of shoplifting calls a year at Walmart stores alone — and taxpayers are footing the bill.

News 6 Investigator Troy Campbell reviewed Volusia County Sheriff’s Office dispatch records spanning several years, including calls to the Walmart on Howland Boulevard in Deltona. Records show deputies were called to that store about 465 times between August 2025 and August 2026. A second Walmart, on Princeton Avenue in Orlando, logged nearly 480 dispatches during the same period.

Many of those calls involved shoplifting and other minor theft incidents.

Repeat offenders drive the problem

At the University of Florida’s Loss Prevention Research Council, criminologist Read Hayes studies the relationship between retailers and law enforcement. The research center runs a simulated retail store equipped with security technology, giving retailers a place to test theft-prevention strategies. Hayes said the council works with 191 retailers, including Walmart.

He said many retail thefts are committed by repeat offenders — people who steal specific products they know how to convert into cash. That pattern, Hayes said, is exactly why even a seemingly minor shoplifting call can be worth a deputy’s time.

“You could have violence. And your employees start getting disgusted and maybe even depressed,” Hayes said.

He added that the same suspects showing up at a retail store may be involved in other criminal activity throughout the county, making each call a potential lead.

Retailers spend millions, still lose billions

Retailers already spend millions of dollars on security guards, surveillance systems and loss-prevention measures. Some merchandise is locked in security cases to prevent theft. Despite those investments, Walmart’s most recent financial filing reported revenue exceeding $713 billion — and the company is estimated to lose about $3 billion annually to theft.

Nationwide, Target has also reportedly closed stores due to theft-related losses.

Walmart responds

News 6 asked Walmart directly about the strain retail theft calls may place on public law enforcement resources. The company acknowledged organized retail crime is a growing challenge affecting customers, employees and communities.

“We remain committed to working collaboratively with law enforcement and leaders across Florida to address this issue.”

Walmart