2 Target Stores Accused of Overcharging

VAN NUYS —  Prosecutors filed misdemeanor charges Monday accusing two Target stores in the San Fernando Valley of overcharging customers.

Dayton Hudson Corp., which operates the stores in Woodland Hills and Canoga Park, and the assistant manager at each store were named in the complaint filed in Van Nuys Municipal Court.

The charges were filed after inspectors of the Los Angeles County Department of Weights and Measures made surprise inspections Oct. 19 and found checkout scanners allegedly overcharging on several items, according to Deputy City Atty. Don Cocek.

In the Canoga Park store, Target charged $12.99 for a Stanley 25-foot tape measure that was supposed to be marked down to $9.99, the prosecutor said.

“It was a routine check, but three bucks for one item--that’s a lot,” Cocek said.

Mitchum roll-on deodorant, advertised at $2.77 in the Woodland Hills store, scanned at $3.59, he said.

Dan L. Dorris, 43, of Granada Hills, who works at the Canoga Park store on Fallbrook Boulevard, faces seven counts, which carry penalties up to six months in jail. William Gillota, 48, of Sherman Oaks, who works at the Woodland Hills store on Ventura Boulevard, is charged with three misdemeanor counts.

The two managers were charged because they were in charge of the store when the price variations were discovered, the city attorney’s office said.

Arraignment in the case is scheduled for March 15.