Dating back to Jan. 1 a total of 67 larcenies have been reported at the big box store.

Comparing the past month's 19 larcenies to the 5.8 average over the last year is a no-brainer according to Zebulon Lieutenant Scott Finch, who said it's all about the time of year.

"I believe it's because of the holidays and the economic times we are having," Finch said. "I think people are compensating in different ways due to the economy and the holiday season."

Finch said it's a common trend for larcenies to go up during the holiday season. He also noted it's possible that people think they can get away with more at a big store.

"It's not a small store where more people will tend to see them," Finch said.

Good for the police department and a joyful noise in the ears of local business owners, the department made arrests on all 19 of the crimes reported at Wal-Mart over the past four weeks.

Finch said the department has made strides to heighten its visiblity. Officers conduct park-and-walks to let criminals know law enforcement has its place in the community.

"I would say it deters most of the crime," he said. "It has a lasting effect on someone to see an officer or car out there. It makes them make a choice."

The police department advises all businesses to understand such crime is more likely to occur considering the state of the economy and the arrival of the holiday season.

"They (businesses) need to be on the lookout for someone who may be trying to do that," Finch said. "If anything comes up like that they need to immediately contact the police."