An assistant school principal was arrested in Georgia after she allegedly stole nearly $1,000 from a Walmart by using the ‘stacking’ method at the self-checkout line.
Courtney Janell Shaw, 47, was taken into custody on Monday by the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office after she allegedly stole 98 items from the store over a two-month period, police said.
Shaw, the assistant principal at Free Home Elementary School, allegedly nabbed $943.97 between November 1 and December 31 by placing multiple unknown items on top of each other and only scanning one time before leaving the store.
Her alleged crime came to light on January 12 when a Walmart employee handed over surveillance footage of Shaw in the act to police, Fox 5 reported.
Investigators then matched the disgraced educator to the thefts through a driver’s license database, per the incident reported obtained by the outlet.
On January 14, officers went over to Shaw’s home and confirmed the two cars in her driveway – a 2018 Ford F-150 and a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee – matched the vehicles seen in the footage speeding away from the store after the alleged thefts.
Additionally, both cars are registered to Shaw, a married mother-of-one, according to her school profile.
After news came out about Shaw’s arrest, the Cherokee County School District announced she was placed on administrative leave.
Courtney Janell Shaw, 47, was arrested on Monday after she allegedly stole nearly $1,000 in merchandise from a local Walmart by using the ‘stacking’ method at a self-checkout register
The disgraced assistant principal (pictured with her husband) at Free Home Elementary School allegedly stacked several items on top of each other, but only scanned one before fleeing the store
‘Immediately upon these allegations being reported, the employee was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of internal and law enforcement investigations,’ the district told Fox 5.
‘Maintaining the safety and security of our students and staff is our top priority and inappropriate conduct will never be tolerated.’
Shaw started her role as assistant principal at the school in 2024 and has been an educator for more than two decades, according to her school profile page.
She was previously a fifth-grade teacher in North Carolina before teaching multiple grades in Florida and eventually landing in Georgia.
Shaw has described herself as someone who devotes her life to her family.
‘My family is my LIFE! I LOVE being a wife and mom!,’ her Facebook profile reads.
Shaw also worked as an assistant principal at other schools in The Peach State.
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She’s been charged with one felony count of shoplifting and released the same day of her arrest on a $4,875 bond
After news came out about Shaw’s arrest, the Cherokee County School District announced she was placed on administrative leave. (Pictured: Free Home Elementary School)
She’s been charged with one felony count of shoplifting and released the same day of her arrest on a $4,875 bond, the Cherokee Tribune reported.
It is unclear when she is due in court to face the charge filed against her.
The Daily Mail contacted the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office and the Cherokee County School District for comment.
