During my 29 years as a law enforcement officer in Florida, I've watched people throw it all away. But at a dollar store? Come on, man. >> Hello. >> Um I am Jim. >> I'm Andrew. >> I'm the loss prevention manager at Dollar General. So, we this is a high shrink store for us. We just had an We just had an inventory. So, I have I'm required to come in here about every 60 90 days to do an audit. I've been out the last 6 weeks and I had hip replacement. So, I was just here last week. And we found a situation. >> An employee? >> One of the associates. She's been doing um transaction voids. Allowing people to go through the self-checkout and then allowing them to leave with merchandise after she voids it out. >> Okay. >> So, allowing them to leave with the merchandise as she voids it out. So, if they I'm understanding this right, they go through the checkout and they leave with 11 items, she pockets the $11? >> And she she getting any anything? >> She says she's She says she's it's just a friend that she's trying to help out that she feels that he's taking advantage of her uh >> So, there's someone else involved? >> Yeah. She has She has children. She is married. She has admitted to $1,000. >> Over what time? >> The last The last 9 months since she's been here. Now, that's all I have from since June that I can prove. >> Okay. >> What I don't have is because I just this just got dropped on me a couple hours ago. I don't have all the video that corresponds with these dollar amounts, but we can get that and burn that. So, you have all the video that corresponds with these dates and times. >> That's the beauty of working with these corporate uh shrink control and the corporate security people because they have access to all the video. Everything is on video and they're they're keeping that video. So, I think it's like four five thousand dollars worth of merchandise and he's got all these transactions that he already knows about that that were just, you know, the same person leaving with merchandise with the same associate and he can pull a video for each and every time to show that she's in the video and she's already admitted to a lot of it, it sounds like. So, >> all these transactions, everything is highlighted. This is for you. >> That's for sure. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm sorry. >> So, at that time, 22:32, for $424.93. >> Okay. >> So, just a >> I joked earlier about the $11. I know that not everything is a dollar in there, but if it were, they would need 423 items. >> For some of these four days about a thousand bucks. >> So, they've gone through and highlighted the ones that are involving her. >> Yeah, the store manager has validated he's verified them on video. She's been very cooperative. >> How did she get caught? >> So, yeah, last week when I was here, I was explaining the cuz he's only the store manager has only been here about four weeks. So, he started going back and looking at them. He couldn't believe what he found after he just got done talking to this. So, he started going back and digging for the last since he got here. >> Fresh set of eyes, a new manager comes in, the loss prevention guy says, "Hey, this is one of the high shrinkage stores. This is, you know, there's either a lot of theft going on or there's a lot of employee theft going on. Fresh set of eyes, take a look at what you see and tell me what you come up with." And boom, this is how stuff like this gets uncovered. >> I did 2010 make sure >> The manager who verified on video to see her working? >> Yeah. >> Can I get him to >> Yes. >> All right. So, these highlighted ones you verified? >> A majority of them cuz I I did them yesterday. I went through all of them. It's just today I had to remake it so cuz I didn't want them to see it. And so I highlighted I need to go through it again double check. But most of them they should be right cuz they're all the same time frame, you know, cuz they're all it's always at 2200. >> Yep. >> And what are you seeing on the video? Are you seeing the same individual? >> Same individual. Yeah. Guy will come in at night, go through the self checkout, she'll be with in tandem with him, void out the transaction, take the cart, walk out with it. >> Okay. Can I get you to write a statement? Um I'll grab one of our statement forms just indicating that once this was you were made aware of this, you reviewed video, you verified and verified everything video. >> This is a current total as of today. >> Oh, it there could be more down the road down the line here. >> I'm going to grab a statement form. >> Sounds good. >> Fact that there's someone else involved, I don't know that's going to be something where our our detectives want to >> investigate a little bit. >> investigate more before >> So. >> Yeah. >> You guys cool with that? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yep. >> This is not a quick uh >> However you want to handle it. >> I know you're you're already deep into it, so you know. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Well, I'll be right back. Let me go to my car here. >> No problem. >> And then we we could I could I could we could show you one of the videos too once we get everything wrapped up so you can see what >> Yeah, I should probably look at one of the videos. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Sounds good. >> Just going to hide all the other bells and whistles. Um >> Can I close this? Sure. Do you want >> Do you want to um do you want to hang out here, sir? >> Yeah, I can do that. >> So, >> Yes. >> you know why I'm here. >> Yep. >> I'm just going to tell you right off the bat, um I don't know how this will play out >> Okay. >> as far as this is going to be a larger investigation that our detectives will handle or this is something that I'm going to be arresting you, taking you to jail tonight. >> All right. >> Okay. >> I prefer not the latter, but >> Okay. So, having that in mind, >> Okay. >> your cooperation is is important, obviously. And it seems like you've been cooperative so far. >> Yes, sir. >> You're not under arrest at this time. >> I'd like to not be under arrest if possible. >> And I saw you wrote a statement. That was on your own. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> I was not forced to. It was completely of my own free will. >> Okay. >> It's a great statement to have on the camera. If you're wondering why he hasn't Mirandized her, he may in a second, but she is not in custody. He literally specifically said you are not under arrest. And if he has he doesn't have the intention of arresting her like he's saying, I might just turn this investigation over to detectives and then they'll come back and interview her under Miranda. >> I go any further in my investigation, even though you're not under arrest, I'm going to read you your rights. >> Okay. >> Okay. You >> Okay. Good practice. You might get a lot more out of her if you don't read her her rights, but this is fine. This it's safe this way. >> Right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to talk to an attorney. If you cannot afford to hire an attorney, one will be appointed to represent you. Having these rights in mind, do you wish to talk? >> I do. Revoke my cooperation now, it's only going to make it look bad, so I guess. >> Okay, so there's the knowing involuntary waiver. She just said, "Yeah, if if I'm going to revoke cooperation now, it's going to look bad on me, so yeah, I'll talk to you." But the thing is, this is the only thing you risk when you pull out that Miranda card a little bit too early. The only thing that you risk when you do that, like it's a more solid interview, sure, for your investigation that you're about to hand over to the detectives as the patrol officer, but what you risk is her saying, "I'm not going to talk to you." And then the detectives may not have a shot at it either later. So, it obviously the officer's discretion and whatever they feel more comfortable doing. Depending on what she says here, she could go to jail tonight. >> How long have you worked here? >> The company or the store particularly? >> The store. >> Uh Jim was saying I think 9 months. >> Okay. And what is your position? >> Assistant store manager. >> At any time have you stolen anything from the store or acted in a way to allow someone else to receive goods services from this store. >> Obviously the latter is why you're here. >> Okay. >> What I would follow up with is let's just dispense with former and latter and let's talk in real English. What have you stolen? What have you taken? Sometimes if you use a softer word like he just did a second ago, what kind of goods and services have left the store that you knew about that nobody paid for. >> Explain to me >> Unfortunately to my bleeding heart generosity for this person that's claiming to have been my friend and I'm like an adopted sister. I regretfully aborted transactions on the self-checkout for him and let him have it which is now costing me my job and putting my family in jeopardy because I was being concerned about somebody else. >> Do you know how many times this occurred? >> I know sir. I don't have a specific >> about Do you know when it started? >> I think the furthest back he told me he had was August. >> So you think this started in August? >> Yes, sir. I believe he's correct. I have paperwork. I just have a memory. >> About how many times a week? >> At least two times a week maybe. >> Okay. How was this arrangement set in place? Did you know they were coming to the store? >> He was here almost every day I worked under the guise of wanting to help me help me work around the store and >> When would you know to abort the transaction? Would did he ask you? Did he talk to you? Did he send you a message? >> would ask me. >> Okay. What would he say then? >> Hey, can you help me out with this and I should have just said no. >> Did you ever get anything in return from him? >> No. >> Did you ever abort a transaction that you kept for yourself? >> No, sir. >> Okay. So in the course of this, you never received anything in exchange for what you were doing. Do you want to identify this individual? >> Do I have to identify him? I mean, do you have his face plastered all over the camera right there? >> This is part of the cooperate cooperating with us and look the course of where this goes is is going to depend on the information you're providing. >> Yes, sir. >> Because this isn't as simple as you're taking something out of store. Even though you didn't retain anything, >> I still assisted in it. >> And there's there's two people involved here. >> So when there's two people involved, it's called a conspiracy. This is a conspiracy to commit grand theft because the amount is over a certain amount. It has to be over that certain amount though in aggregate because if it's a series of petty thefts, like if he came through and and stole only $300 worth of stuff each time, you do that over some time, obviously that's going to grow. But instead of one being one giant huge felony, it might be 20 misdemeanors. This is why it's good to get as much information out of her as possible. >> Okay. >> Yes, sir. Whatever I can do to help you >> It's only It's only going to I'm not I'm not saying you're not going to be in trouble. >> No, I know I'm going to be in trouble. Just to save me from having to be arrested is what I would like to avoid right now. I don't want to walk out here in cuffs. I don't want you guys to have to escort me >> I can't I can't guarantee that either, but >> You're saying he can't guarantee that, which is a smart move. He Mirandized her and he He specifically said in those Miranda warnings, "Has anyone ever promised you anything in order to induce you to make a statement?" >> uh you know, help you out in that way, but >> Same as Jean. >> Can you describe him? >> 6 foot something, 200 plus pounds, white male, balding. Also pending. Also, if you happen to find him because like I said, I'm going to advise him being my friend, you can also give that back to him. He asked me to hold it. >> Okay, well I don't want to be in possession of that. >> I don't want it either cuz if I'm never going to see him again, I don't want to keep it. >> Well, we need to have an established relationship, so I'll let that property remain with you. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> All right. Do you swear and affirm that this statement is true and accurate to the best of your knowledge? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. You can sign. All right. What we're going to do is much investigation as I can with the information that we have now. >> Okay. >> I'm going to ask that you continue to verify these transactions. >> Yep. >> So we know the full extent of it. >> Yep. >> Because it's basically an ongoing scheme and it has occurred previous months. I'm going to do as much as I can with what you have now. >> All right. >> I'm going to send it to our criminal investigations. So I'm not hauling her away in cuffs today. >> That's fine. >> And I'm going to talk to her, tell her my when the detective comes and talks to you, she needs to continue what she's doing. She can't >> As I I I told her from the beginning I go, "Look, he's got to be cooperative." >> And it seems I have no reason that you guys tell me if it's any different. >> No. >> This is going to be the best route to go because >> Yep. >> the dollar amount keeps going up, it could change >> Yeah. >> the charge. >> Mhm. >> I don't want to prematurely take action, grab that guy, interview him. You know, as as patrol you know, like serious. >> Sure. >> Does that sound >> Yeah, that's fine. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yep. All right. >> Who Who Who am I here for? >> Uh Justin Now. >> Who? >> Justin. >> Yep. >> Perfect. >> I move my car. Stop. I I got to move my car. I I had to No, it's the right inside. >> Gene? Are you Gene? >> Yes, I'm Gene. >> Can you come over here for a second so I can talk to you? >> I guess I'm getting arrested because the I don't even know what I did at Dollar General. >> Okay. >> [laughter] >> Whoever he's on speakerphone with, he says, "I guess I'm getting arrested because I don't even know what I did at Dollar General." >> Any ID on you? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> I said, "Trick, I'm getting arrested." >> No one said that. Are you talking to me or talking to the person on the phone? >> to the person on the phone. I'm talking to my mother. >> Okay, do you mind talking to me first? >> I'll call you back. Okay. >> I was here earlier. >> Yes. >> You are suspected in several thefts. >> How would I suspect in a theft? I don't remember. I I'm not aware of stealing anything cuz everything I know I get I pay for. >> Okay. >> Like I just bought three loaves of bread. >> Tonight? >> Tonight. I have the receipt in the bag. >> Okay. I'm not accusing you of anything right now. >> Okay. >> But previously >> I don't recall doing anything. >> I don't recall. >> know any of the workers here? >> I know Jazz. Actually, I know basically everybody that works here. >> Here's Here's the Here's the deal. I'm not arresting you. >> Okay. >> You are suspected in several thefts. >> Okay. >> It is being investigated. >> Okay. >> They do want to pursue charges. >> Okay. I'm trespassed from coming in this store. >> They don't want you here for a year. >> Okay, can I >> So, on on their behalf, I'm issuing you a trespass right now. >> Okay, can I at least go in there and get my bread that I >> Yeah, we'll let you take your >> [laughter] >> Gene's worried about his bread. That's the wrong bread you're worried about, my friend. Uh there The detectives are going to do their own investigation and hammer you. >> that you paid for. All right. So, here's the other thing. A detective is probably going to want to talk to you is going to want to talk to you. >> Okay. >> So, you told me you haven't done anything. >> Not that I'm aware of cuz I know everything. I have food stamps and I work daily jobs and I get paid for my daily jobs. >> Okay, so if a detective wants to talk to you, how do they reach you? >> I can give you my phone number. >> Okay. What's your number? >> Honestly, my honest opinion, I don't like you guys. I hate you guys with a badge and >> A lot of people do. >> So >> Just keep in mind >> Don't come on the property. Don't go to >> no, no. We already talked about that. Okay. So, when a detective comes to talk to you, it would benefit you ultimately to talk to them. Okay, I know you don't want to talk to me right now. You don't like the police. >> That's what I want to say. I will do that. >> Okay. Do you have any questions for me? >> No, I do not, officer. >> Okay. >> Have a good day. >> You're free to go. All right. Take care of yourself. >> What happened? >> no idea. >> Is it because of my former job? >> It's a It's scheme to defraud warrant. >> I see. >> So, you have a warrant. Okay. >> Wait. >> She has two kids in the back. >> Okay. >> Wait. What? What's going on? >> Like I said, we can do this over here as long as she cooperates. >> Okay, what? >> All right. >> What? >> I'll I'll explain it to you in a second, okay? So, just give me a second. If If you want to do this over here >> their mom. >> Okay, I understand. We'll do this over here, okay? And I'll explain it to you here in a second. >> Hold on. >> All right. Hang out over here, please. All right. Got one more thing I got to tell you. >> Are you kidding me? >> So, you know what this is about then. >> Yes. >> I told you to be honest with me. >> I didn't know how to tell you. You don't want to be mad at me. Tell me what. Should I help somebody and it cost >> What are you doing? >> Here's the thing, I don't know what the case entails, but it's it's it's a scheme to defraud. That's all I know. All I know is what the charge is. I don't know what the case entails. >> You You have to address him because she's feeling vulnerable now in handcuffs and he's within striking distance and he's starting You you know this guy. Like and he's starting to get a little bit hot under the collar understandably because his girlfriend or wife or whatever is going to jail. So you're just kind of like, "Hey man, I don't know what the case entails. Let's just get her secure and then we'll talk." >> More with the specifics like that. She can probably tell you more than I can, so. >> You was told you wasn't going to Okay. What what the this secret organization you got running, bro? With two kids here, I'm running a company and you What? What in God's name is happening right now? >> are going to have to get it worked out at some point. What what is the What are we going to do with the children? Are you Um are you guys together? >> Yeah. Yes, man. For nine years, bro. What the >> Hey, who are these both of your guys's kids? >> Yes. Yeah. Yes. >> Okay. All right. So they're biological kids, then. We're just >> Yes. Yes. Biological, man. >> It's understandable why he may be offended, but you have to ask these questions. Because if she's just met this guy a couple weeks ago and the officer is like, "Okay, well, we're taking the mom away. Good luck with those kids." Definitely not a good idea. Like you got to make sure that there's some kind of parental authority at least that this guy has over the children to that can make medical decisions for them and and everything else. >> I know. So where where you guys going to take her? >> To the SSO jail, Sarasota County Sheriff's Office. >> Wait, what? >> Yeah, why do you think you're in handcuffs? >> I was told that I was not going to be arrested if I was cooperative and I have been nothing but >> You have an active warrant, so apparently at some point you might have not been cooperative. >> I didn't know I had an active warrant. >> She work as a manager of the store, though. So I don't I don't know any of this weird shady that's happening right here. Look, military family, law enforcement family. What What are you doing? >> I wanted to handle this before eight. Really I >> Handle it how? By not By not >> I wanted to get it taken care of so you didn't have to get involved. >> What What the What the These dudes out here is ancient, bro. >> Hey, listen. Let me I got to I got to confirm the warrant, too. So, like I said, >> Please please do. >> Give me a second. If you want to If you want to hang out with the kids, I'll I'll give you a chance to talk to her before we leave, okay? >> Um is it is it nothing that you can do? >> There's an active warrant signed by a judge. That's There's nothing I can do. I can take her to jail, and then maybe they can release her depending on what the bond is. I don't know what that bond is. >> Yeah, the truth of the matter is if the officer doesn't take action on that judge's warrant, then the officer is in violation of the court's order. >> So, what am I going to tell my What am What am I going to tell my family now? What am I going to say? Wha- What the are you doing? Let me go get the kids inside, bro, cuz I don't need >> I'm I'm going to keep her away I'm going to be here for a minute, so I'll I'll absolutely give you a chance to talk to her, okay? So, just do what you got to do with the kids. I'll be out here. >> I will. >> Here. You can You can stand up here real quick. >> No, I don't want to I don't want to go. >> I don't care. After we done with this, you're going to your mom. I'm running a business. I'm running a business. I work full-time. I take care of two kids, and you got cops out here out of my house. I bought you that vehicle. I have mine and that one in the yard. What are you thinking? >> If you would let me talk. Please. >> Okay. What are you thinking? >> I I >> I I'm not doing the fake >> I'm not doing >> Subscribe while you're here, but my other channel is The Com Center. It's where I walk true crime cases from the 911 call to the verdict, and the link is in the description below. >> And now I'm going to have to waste time to go down to a jail and and do and do what? What's your mom's number, bro? >> Why do you want my mom? >> Because you got >> I'm not going to stay with my >> What No, what is your mom number? >> Why do you need my mother? Please. >> Th- Th- This is a mistake, bro. >> I'm going to double-check it. How did you have her now? You were already here. You returned something you wasn't supposed to. And then gave him the money. >> The detective told me, the one that's investigating, said that he wasn't going to arrest me. >> All right, so there's an active warrant in the system. >> I gained nothing from it. I was just trying to help somebody out in a bad way. >> I don't know the overall scheme of it. I don't know, like I said, I don't know the specifics about the case. I never >> You know, like I see her point and she really was taken advantage of and it looks like she has a nice like family support system here. I I have no reason to believe that this is a bad person, but what she's essentially saying is, "Well, I robbed the bank, but I gave the money to the church." You still robbed a bank. >> [snorts] >> But that's what the arrest warrant is for. >> I I could have had this fixed said something. >> I didn't know. >> I would have known. >> Ooh. >> I'm sure she's got a lot of explaining to do. But um that's between you guys. >> I wasn't hearing anything, bro. I'm not I'm done with that. So. >> But they did they get the detective told her that he wouldn't write the warrant as long as she cooperated. >> Yeah, she was probably afraid to tell me anything. >> It is a felony. So, I mean it's over $10,000 in in product or whatever, so. >> $10,000 in product? >> Yep. So. >> Are you kidding me? >> Over $10,000 total. I don't know if that's product and cash. >> It probably hurts him, too, because he as a business owner, he understands what a $10,000 hit would be. It It doesn't matter the size of the company. $10,000 is $10,000. >> I don't know how that's split up, but it's over $10,000 total. So. You want the number to the jail? >> Yeah, sure. >> You can just Google that, but >> Okay. >> know what her bond's going to be yet, but once like I said, once she gets processed in, she can make a phone call. I mean, I can look it up right now and see if there is a bond on her. If that will help. So, let me let me see if I can find it. All right, so the bond the bond's only $1,500. So, it's 150 to bond her out. >> Okay. Can I bond her out now? >> As soon as she gets processed. You can you can call the jail and let her let her know give give them their her information. >> If you're wondering how that goes, it's $1,500 bond. So, through a surety through a bail bondsman essentially. You give them 10%. You give them 150 cash and they'll put the rest of the bond up, but you have to sign stuff over to make sure that she appears in court. And if she doesn't appear in court, they'll put a lien on whatever it is you put up as collateral. >> Okay. They'll let you know how to how to handle that. >> Three vehicles, a house, two kids, I work all the time. >> I could explain it to you better, but that's that's all I got for you. >> God couldn't even explain what you did to us, bro. I'll take care, man. >> She's like, "I don't know." Hey, best best of luck to you. I'm sorry the kids had to be out there. I tried to do it away from them. >> I I I have no feelings, but thanks for being professional, man. My name is James, bro. What's your name? >> Brian. Let's >> Brian. All right. Thank you. All right. I'll be down there in a >> I approve, James. >> I will. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Okay, she was charged with scheme to defraud. And loss prevention documented roughly $1,000 in voided transactions over those four days, but the officer on scene put the total figure north of 10,000, which obviously makes it a felony either way. Her bond was set at $1,500. The identity of the guy she voided the transactions for and whether she received anything in return, that all came from her from her statements on the camera. Nothing here is going to confirm that. The footage doesn't tell us how the case was resolved. Look, if you like this video, watch the next one, be safe, and don't get body cammed.