SMYRNA, TN - The Smyrna Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a man accused of turning what could have been a good-faith moment into a bad decision — one swipe at a time. According to a Smyrna Police Department social media release, complete with a surveillance photo, the incident is believed to have started on New Year’s Eve, but reported several days later on January 3, 2026, after a lost wallet was picked up from the parking lot of Target store on Industrial Boulevard. Instead of taking the “do the right thing” route and returning the wallet, police say the unknown individual allegedly used a credit card from it to make unauthorized purchases.
Investigators report that the suspect was captured on store surveillance cameras as he exited the Target location near I-24 and Sam Ridley Parkway. The footage shows a man with black hair neatly shaved on the sides and back, wearing a closely trimmed beard. He was dressed in an olive-green pullover hoodie featuring the Lee blue jeans logo, distressed blue jeans with visible holes — including one over the left knee — and dark-colored athletic shoes. His tennis shoes appeared to be a dark blue color with white accents.
In what may be the least subtle detail of the encounter, the suspect was also seen carrying what appeared to be a cellphone or possibly another wallet in his right hand, along with a shopping bag in his left. The surveillance video captured him exiting the store from the grocery-side entrance, which if facing the parking lot, are the doors on the right.
Smyrna police released a photo of the individual who was captured on camera and would like to confirm his identity. The photo was posted on Wednesday (01/14/2026) this week and are hoping someone recognizes him before his shopping habits become even more memorable. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Andrew Schaefer at (615) 267-5048 or via email at andrew.schaefer@townofsmyrna.org.
DISCLAIMER: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The arrest records or information about an arrest that are published or reported on NewsRadio WGNS and www.WGNSradio.com are not an indication of guilt or evidence that an actual crime has been committed.
