NATCHEZ — Six people have been arrested, and 11 more arrests are on the way after 33 affidavits were signed against those involved in a scam that ripped off Tractor Supply Company for $15,000 in merchandise.

Adams County Sheriff Chuck Mayfield said an employee who has been at the 780 U.S. 61 N. store since it opened in November was the lead conspirator.

Shomari Kente Jenkins, 28, 2114 U.S. 61 North, was charged May 25 with grand larceny after sheriff’s investigators reportedly caught him on security video giving away merchandise.

Mayfield said after reviewing 45 days worth of security tape, 17 suspects and 33 counts of conspiracy to commit petit larceny were discovered.

Mayfield said Jenkins was reportedly allowing people he knew take a number of items while paying for a portion of them.

“(Jenkins) was letting friends come in and buy things and (take) four articles of stuff and ring up a Sprite (for example),” Mayfield said.

Sheriff’s Office Maj. Ricky Stevens said in some cases the conspirators would walk away with clothing items and only pay for a candy bar.

In 45 days, $15,000 worth of clothing, shoes, horse feed, dog food and more were reportedly stolen. Sheriff’s office investigators said they were not sure how long the conspiracy had been going on before the 45 days.

Sheriff’s Office Investigator Jerry Brown said Jenkins took money in the parking lot or other locations from his conspirators in exchange for the items.

In some cases, the conspirators reportedly gave Jenkins some of the merchandise he let them take without payment, Brown said.

Takara Shonte Gaines, 35, 16-A Grafton Heights Road, was arrested at the same time as Jenkins May 25 for one count of conspiracy to commit petit larceny, immediately following the reported crime.

“She was caught in the act. (Investigators were) sitting outside watching video,” Brown said.

Gaines was released on a $1,000 bond. She was reportedly caught stealing merchandise priced at $128, Stevens said.

Also arrested Wednesday on a number of counts of conspiracy to commit petit larceny at Tractor Supply were the following:

4 Larry Donnell Griffin, 41, 621 Cannonsburg Road on one count.

4 Terry D. Ellis, 43, 21 Hoper St., Fayette on one count.

4 Antonio D. Thomas, 23, 19 Phillip West Road, on four counts.

4 Larry Thomas Lucas, 22, 79 Morgantown Road, on two counts.

Mayfield said investigators for the national franchise alerted the sheriff’s office of the matter.

The store’s manager, Dusty Cauthen, alerted the company’s investigators. Cauthen was also the complainant in some of the arrests.

“The manager first prompted attention because the count (of inventory) wasn’t matching up with their sales,” Mayfield said.

Jenkins was charged with a felony and the 16 conspirators will be charged with a misdemeanor for conspiracy to commit petit larceny, which carries similar penalties to petit larceny.

Mayfield said the sheriff’s office originally wanted to seek extortion charges for the conspirators, but after discussing the matter with the District Attorney’s office, conspiracy to commit petit larceny affidavits were signed.