Off-duty officer notified Davenport Police

Three Michigan men were in custody Tuesday after Davenport Police allege they worked together in a quick-change scheme and thefts at Walmarts in Clinton, Davenport and Muscatine.

From top left, clockwise: Marqwan Haralson, Danny Gipson Jr., Jessie Evans III (Scott County Jail)

  • Jessie Evans III, 20, of Holly, Mich., faces a charge of conspiracy to commit a felony.
  • Danny Gipson Jr., 21, of Davidson, Mich., faces a felony charge of conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony, an aggravated misdemeanor of third-degree theft, and a serious misdemeanor of possession of a controlled substance – marijuana – first offense.
  • Marqwan Haralson, 19, of Flint, Mich., faces a felony charge of conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony.

The incident on Monday

Shortly after 5 p.m. Monday, Davenport Police were notified by an off-duty officer at Walmart, 3101 W. Kimberly Road, that suspects had entered the business in an attempt to conduct a quick-change cash scam while at the register, according to arrest affidavits, which say the suspects were tipped off and left the store.

Then, affidavits say, the suspects did the same thing at Walmart in Muscatine just before they came to the Walmart on West Kimberly Road and took $1,233.05 in merchandise. The group also took $2,324.66 from the Cedar Rapids Walmart.

Officers then were dispatched to Walmart at 5811 Elmore Ave., Davenport, “for the same group that was inside the business attempting to conduct the quick-change scam,” according to affidavits. Officers made contact with one of the co-defendants after he was successfully able to conduct the quick-change scam, affidavits say.

Evans was located driving a black 2020 Jeep Cherokee near the intersection of East 53rd Street and Elmore Avenue. Police allege he was observed on video, parked outside of Walmart, “while the co-defendants were inside attempting to steal merchandise,” police say in affidavits. A co-defendant passed all points of sale without purchasing products worth about $1,114.17.

“As the co-defendant was leaving Walmart, (Evans) left the scene in the vehicle. Video footage show the co-defendants exit the vehicle to enter Walmart, while the vehicle stays on in the parking lot,” according to affidavits.

“Walmart staff advised this has been an ongoing scheme run by these subjects from multiple Walmarts in the area with recent amounts (taken) of about $1,233.05 in Muscatine and about $2,324.66 in Cedar Rapids,” affidavits show.

Gipson, police allege, “was present and passed all points of sale” and did not purchase the merchandise totaling $1114.17, affidavits show.

Haralson, upon receiving a phone call, left the registers, and multiple high-priced items, with Gipson, affidavits say.

Affidavits show Evans was operating the Jeep, attempted to leave the Walmart parking lot, and was stopped by police.

A search warrant was obtained for the Jeep and officers found raw marijuana on the rear driver’s side.

“Officers made contact with one of the co-defendants after he was successfully able to conduct the quick-change scam” according to affidavits.

Officers chased Haralson, “who was tackled to the ground inside the north vestibule of the
business and handcuffed,” affidavits say.

All three are being held in Scott County Jail on $5,000 cash-only bond, and are set for preliminary hearings Feb. 23 in Scott County Court.

What is a quick-change scam?

The quick-change scam can happen when someone comes into a store to buy something inexpensive with a large bill. The “purchaser” then tries to confuse the cashier with multiple cash exchanges and the scammer makes off with more money than they initially brought into the store.

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