Employee accused of stealing more than $2,600 from Sam’s Club

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Jefferson City Sam’s Club employee was charged with a felony after she allegedly stole $2,664.29 from the business.

Samantha Gates, of Barnett, was charged on Friday in Cole County with stealing more than $750. A warrant was issued and a $2,664 cash only bond was set. She was not listed on the Cole County Jail roster on Friday.

The probable cause statement claims Gates was using members’ accounts to steal cash.

“Management checked the defendant's transactions and discovered 32 instances between 11/02/2025 and 11/28/2025 where she would complete a transaction with a customer and leave their account open,” court documents say. “She would then select items previously purchased by the member, complete a return on those items and then remove the cash and put it in her pocket.”

The business gave law enforcement a log of the transactions and receipts, the statement says.