Police have been called to a Walmart after an employee working through a third-party vendor is accused of stealing multiple cell phones. As officers begin gathering information, the situation appears straightforward, but questions remain about what happened to the missing devices. >> That's all. >> I don't know anything for a second. >> Oh, I I I just came from the back right there. So we go back here. >> Okay, so >> Okay. Oh. Oh. I don't know if she's a third-party person. >> Okay. Like a third-party kind of thing or what? >> Yes. Yes. Yes. What did he say he was stealing? Several cell phones. >> Okay. >> And he made a purchase today and he's leaving with them. >> All right. >> Yeah. I have videos. I have statements. I have receipts. >> Okay. >> Oh. >> Can't say it'd be a first for them. >> No. And two different days. >> How much are we talking? >> 1,500. >> For 23 phones? >> Yep. >> Right on. >> I think it was three or four. And I think so. Three or four. He got four phones. You know, cell phones are not cheap. >> They are not. So we're talking over 300 bucks a pop? >> Yep. >> Cool. Is uh is APN talking to her now or what? >> Yes, they're talking to her now. >> Do we know anything about the minimum or anything yet? >> I don't know. I came up front to you. >> Okay, cool. We'll figure it all out as we go. >> Yep. Like I said, we can wait at the door for him. >> Okay. 86, we're going to be going through the back of the store in the associate area. Do you say it how you say it? Okay. >> Yes, I'm good. >> Okay, so I guess one of my colleagues here I'm assuming you know what for, right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um Good. So, what we're going to do is have you guys trespassed or you going to do that? Are we going to do that? >> Yeah, we were going to do it. >> Yeah. Okay. So, you're going to be you're going to be trespassed from Walmart, okay? And we got to take you to the police department and do some paperwork, okay? So, if you want to go ahead and stand up for me. Do you have anything on you as far as weapons or anything like that? >> No. >> Okay. >> Can I have my bag? >> Okay. Well, is it in the the locker or >> No, it's on the chair in where the retail sales. >> Okay. Uh what do you want to use your other Grab that for me. >> It's next to the sales bag. >> Okay. All right, go ahead and turn around for me. Put your hands behind your back, okay? You can put your phones up on the table. >> Are those my headphones or is that one of them? >> Those are my headphones. >> All right, is that uncomfortable for you either? >> No, it's fine. >> Okay. So, you use two pairs of gloves too. Okay, I'm going to lock them so they don't tighten up on you. All right, we'll get your stuff. I'll head on out. Do you guys have statements and stuff? >> Yeah. >> I'll take your phone. >> Can somebody grab my phone? >> Are those ones here? >> Yeah. >> Yeah, we'll take a look at it. >> I need my phone. >> I'll get your bag and get that thing taken care of here. >> Okay. You want to stay here or do you want to go? >> Just whatever. >> Just stay. >> Whichever way you want to do it, doesn't matter. >> All right. I assume you have anything else on your person? >> No. >> Here are my keys. >> Thank you. Remember us in Target in the plastic bag? >> You don't have anything in the bag that you're supposed to have? >> No. >> Okay, nothing illegal, nothing sharp. Uh knives, needles, something like >> No, just like a little in touch little shaver that you left in the back. I use flawless shaver, like it's called a razor. >> No narcotics, no weapons, no anything like that? >> No. >> All right. >> They're all in still in good condition and everything, like nothing is in open or anything. >> You still have them like here or are they back home or are they >> In my possession, yeah. >> They're like in the at the store here? Like in the car or where are they at? >> If If If I was to say that it was If it was in my possession, like would Would that make a difference? >> As the investigation develops, the suspect shifts from denying involvement to asking whether returning the phones could help her situation. This is often a critical point in theft investigations as officers focus on recovering property while documenting statements that may later become relevant to the case. >> Would I be still able to redeem myself? >> So, redemption, yes. Um Like I said, they're probably going to get charged civilly through Walmart, too. So, they'll probably like send you a a fine basically for you taking their items. So, like so you'd have to pay restitution for those items. But, if you give them back, they might either lower or eliminate that all together. So. Okay. And so, are are the phones in your car or where are they at? >> They're at my mom's residence. >> Okay. >> But, they're it's not far. It's on Highway 50. >> Okay. Is it in O'Fallon still or Fairview or >> It's in O'Fallon. >> Okay. So, yeah, we'll take you up there when we get everything figured out. And then after after we do that, um do they know that you still have them? >> I didn't get the chance to let them know. I didn't even know he was getting mad until he actually had you guys come in and have me sign the paperwork. >> Okay. So, So, if you wanted to to get those and bring them back or turn them into us so we can get them back to them, then we can do that. >> Okay. Thank you so much. >> Yeah, there's no problem. >> He was like, "I know that times are hard. >> Sure. >> And he was like, "As long as it's not over $1,000, then you should be fine." >> Yeah. >> And I'm like, "Okay." And then he didn't give me a chance to like let him know that I had them still. >> Okay. >> And I had to touch them or anything like that. >> So, we should be good. >> In my possession, but it hasn't been It's like really still in good condition. >> Still all the way that you got them from the store, okay. >> I said. >> Got you. Then go over to this side here and I'll let you in. >> But, if I feel like just go to my mom if I can have my mom bring them out. >> Does she know where they're at? >> Yeah, they're they're like where she can find them? I'm like, okay. >> Jump in here. So, yeah, what we'll do is we'll get to the PD. That's all right. >> Perfect. >> All right, go and hop in for me. I'll put her bag on the passenger floor. Cool. Cool. Okay, yeah. So, what we'll do is we'll go to the PD, we'll get you booked in, I'll let you call your mom, and then if she wants to bring her over to the PD, then we can just bring her back out here, and then that might help help the situation, okay? >> Okay. >> All right, so >> And then no no no charges will be filed or anything? >> So, they'll they'll probably still want to do charges, but the the returning of the the property will probably help you out on the restitution side of it, so you won't have to pay as many fines and stuff like that, okay? >> Okay. >> So, >> Okay. Thank you. >> All right, I'll just keep that in mind real quick. >> This is because they didn't Is that the GMC approved in wireless? And it makes sense cuz they was like the system was down or weren't able to log check in or anything. >> Yeah. >> Check anybody out. They already had a claim probably or established probably. >> No. >> Probably. That's what it looks like. >> Yeah, I have no idea on that one. >> It makes sense, but >> Yeah. >> They had some kind of information. >> Okay. Yeah, I haven't had a chance to really look through anything. Yeah, this is kind of a >> Um >> quick jump, so. >> I know that The that the the female Caucasian female with the you know the like the little hair clip or whatever. >> Yeah, yeah. >> She she actually advised one of the I think he may have mentioned the name of your neighbor is >> I think there was one when I was there but I'm not sure if it's the same one or not. >> And she was like basically ranting and raving and I seen whatever I heard her say. >> Oh. >> This last I think it was this last Friday. >> Oh. >> Yeah, this last Sunday. >> Huh. >> That's what I heard her saying and it never brought it to my attention until >> Right. Right. Yeah. Right, yeah, yeah. >> So he just said that happened on the 20 the 20th and 21st and the 22nd. >> Mhm. Uh okay. Yeah, that's a few days ago. >> Yeah. And this is the beginning of the whole new week and I'm like why didn't they just stop me in my tracks before I left the store at that time? >> Yeah. Good question. Unless they unless they found out later on or something like that maybe I don't know. >> The long time of us riding and she comes to bring it she would probably have to walk some ways. >> Um and is she is older I assume? >> She's a senior citizen. >> So I mean >> I think the first the first is the most of all of them all about but they don't I don't think they don't have access to this road or whatever. >> Okay. And I mean worst case scenario we could always I could if she's got them then I could just run by the house and and pick them up from the house. That way she wouldn't have to worry about getting out too much. Okay. Got you. Okay. Yeah, we'll get we'll get through all this, then we can we can take care of all that and uh like I said, if you wanted to give the stuff back, then it would look good on you as far as that goes. So, this Um more than likely. Um but like I said, if I guess it it'll probably all still proceed regardless of what happens at this point, but if you give the stuff back, it's definitely going to look better on you cuz I mean Okay. So, that'll that should help, I would think. All right. See, I'm going to have you go ahead and stand up here on these feet and I'm going to get your picture real quick. Um if you just want to stand on the yellow feet and look this way towards the camera. And >> This incident began when Walmart investigators reported that a third-party employee had allegedly taken several cell phones from the store with the total value exceeding $1,000. After officers arrived, they coordinated with store personnel, confirmed that evidence and statements had been collected, and informed the employee that she was being trespassed from the property while the investigation moved forward. One of the most significant developments occurred when the suspect acknowledged that the phones had not been sold, damaged, or discarded. Instead, she informed officers that the devices were still in her possession and were located at her mother's residence. From that point forward, the focus shifted from simply documenting the alleged theft to recovering the missing property. Officers explained that returning the phones would not automatically eliminate criminal charges, but it could positively affect restitution and demonstrate cooperation during the investigation. Throughout the encounter, officers maintained a calm and professional approach. They clearly explained the process, answered questions, and provided realistic expectations regarding possible criminal and civil consequences. Rather than making promises, they carefully stated that any decision regarding charges would proceed through the appropriate legal channels while emphasizing the benefits of returning the merchandise. According to the case outcome, the suspect was ultimately charged with retail theft. However, because the stolen iPhones were returned, the case concluded with probation and reduced restitution obligations. The footage serves as a reminder that retail theft investigations often rely on surveillance, inventory records, witness statements, and recovery efforts long before an arrest is made. If this body cam footage made you stop and think, hit like, share your opinion in the comments, and subscribe for more real-life police body cam breakdowns.