Michigan Judge’s Directive for Walmart Shoplifters to Clean Cars Overruled by Superior Officer

A Michigan judge sought to have Walmart shoplifters offer free car washes for their sentence, but the plan was overruled by a senior jurist.

Judge Jeffrey Clothier, recently elected to Genesee County’s 67th District Court, proposed a unique idea to address shoplifting in the community. He suggested that up to 100 shoplifters caught stealing from a local Walmart could perform community service by washing cars for free. Clothier believes that this initiative could benefit the community and potentially deter others from stealing from the retail giant.

This concept, known as “Walmart Washes,” was devised by Clothier and received support from store managers at the Walmart in Grand Blanc Township. While Walmart headquarters in Arkansas endorsed the idea, they specified that the car wash could not take place on store premises. Undeterred, Judge Clothier planned to identify an alternative location for the car wash, with the intention of holding the event in the spring.

Judge Jeffrey Clothier said he was upset by Chief Judge William Crawford II’s ruling. (Getty Images)

“I had 37 new Walmart theft offenses two days ago. In the last month, it’s been well over 100,” he added.

Clothier said 20 to 30 judges across the state who heard about the car wash planned to join him and the shoplifters.

The judge said he is now ordering other types of community service in the Walmart shoplifting cases instead of car washes.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.