Hearing in Walmart fraud case delayed
A change of plea hearing for the Texas man accused of making $1.3 million worth of fraudulent returns at more than 1,000 U.S. Walmarts — including two in Yuma — was continued for the third time on Tuesday morning in Yuma County Superior Court.
Appearing before Superior Court Judge Brandon Kinsey, Thomas Frudaker’s attorney, Daniel Tapetillo of the Yuma County Public Defenders Office, asked for a two-week continuance, informing the court that the plea bargain being offered in his client’s case is not ready.
Tapetillo explained that due to the complexity of the case, he would like the opportunity to meet with the prosecution once more to further discuss the terms of the proposed plea offer.
Frudaker has been charged with fraudulent schemes and artifices and theft, which are both felonies, and one misdemeanor count of theft. He remains at Yuma County jail on a $100,000 bond.
Hearing no objection from the prosecution, Judge Kinsey granted Tapetillo’s request and scheduled the next hearing for 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 22 for what is expected to be either a change of plea or to set a trial date.
According to Yuma police, on June 15 officers responded to a report of a fraudulent transaction at a Walmart at 2501 S. Avenue B. Upon investigation, they determined that Frudaker had allegedly removed parts from a computer he had previously purchased from the Walmart and was attempting to return it.
Officers also were able to determine that Frudaker made a similar transaction on Wednesday at another Walmart located at 8151 E. 32nd St.
Frudaker, who is suspected of making the fraudulent returns over the past 18 months, was arrested and booked into Yuma County jail.