You lost your keys, got flustered, and it was unintentional, it was a mistake. Nothing was intentional. >> Yes, I am a detective. >> Okay, she grabs a receipt, why is she grabbing a bag? Something weird's going on. >> You know, most people that get caught shoplifting have never worn a badge. They don't know how investigations work. Most of the time they won't know what probable cause is, and they definitely won't know what surveillance footage is capable of. Today's suspect can't use any of those excuses because this shoplifter isn't just anyone, it's a police sergeant. >> On October 6th, 2025, at a Walmart in Show Low, Arizona, loss prevention reported that a woman in uniform was acting suspiciously, [music] placing items inside a tote and attempting to leave without paying. When officers arrived, they immediately recognized her as Sergeant Melissa [music] Ward of the White Mountain Apache Police Department. She insisted it was all a mistake, but the cameras told a very different story. >> So, what's going on right now? >> Hey, buddy. >> Melissa, how you doing? >> Good, thank you. >> Uh Well, she had two totes, I saw her in the totes grabbing them, and since it's such a big issue with that, I sort of followed you around. >> Every single item she got, she opened the tote, put it in, and closed it, every single time. And then when she got up to the front end, the only thing she purchased was the tote, and then she tried, before she even bought the tote, to she went to her the GM exit, was stopped there by the door house, went back, went to customer service, then went back, purchased the tote, and then went through grocery. So, that's kind of where we're at right now. >> Can you show me a video? >> Yeah, it's your >> Let's see. >> It's right there in the BR. >> Let's go to chat with you and stuff. Were you just Were you just getting off work and stuff? Okay. >> I'm getting stuff for PD for that. I left my keys in there. >> Oh. >> That's why I was going to ask the lady at the front if she could get them. >> Okay. >> Or when I go out to the parking lot. >> You left your keys and stuff. Okay. >> So, I'm flustered cuz I got a phone call, too. >> Okay. Yeah, and he'll he'll chat with you about it and we'll try to figure it out. Do you have your weapon on you? >> No, I took it off. >> Professional courtesy, I'm not putting you in handcuffs, but we're going to take you to the car, put you in the back. I'm going to take your bag and just to make sure you have nothing on you, okay? Fair enough? >> And then we'll we'll chat down at the PD and stuff, okay? >> The professional courtesy, humiliate her. She's shoplifting in uniform. She's in uniform, right? Like I'm not My eyes are not deceiving me. She's freaking walking around in uniform shoplifting. Did she think that that was going to like make people not suspect her? Not not think that anything she was doing was suspicious? She's just walking around the store, taking items, putting them inside the tote. That is not suspicious at all. But then like making your way around all these different areas of the store, you don't think that you're not looking suspicious? You're just cuz you're wearing a uniform? You think that people are just going to turn a blind eye and think, "Oh Oh, she's in law enforcement. She's not going to do anything wrong." And you're still going to do her the professional courtesy of not putting HER IN HANDCUFFS? NO, HUMILIATE her ass. She broke the law just like every other lowlife that has shoplifted and been caught. Why treat her any differently? Uh I don't agree with that. Nope. Nope. Nope. She was in a position of authority and she abused it. She needs to be shamed. Little little bit of public humiliation is called for, I think. >> I'm going to walk around here real quick. >> She's still She's got a patrol car here. >> Oh, okay. I'm going to have you sit back here and then I'm uh read you your rights and everything, okay? >> I heard her say on your radio. >> Yes, she was So, that's why I was like, "Let's double-check with Miles." cuz she was trying to claim that she was going to go intercept somebody at the front to watch her car so she can go back out to her car cuz she can't find her keys. >> Well, why was she stuffing it in the bag? >> Exactly. So, >> Did we find the keys? >> That's That's another thing, too. We'll search the bag and see if she has her keys or not. But as we pulled in, you see her patrol car in the back. So, she came here just got off work, came here. >> I'm going to read you your Miranda rights. You have the right to have one appointed to you prior to questioning. Do you understand these rights? Okay, so [music] what happened here? And be And just be straight with me. I mean, we all make mistakes. >> I'm looking for my keys. So, what ended up happening was I went over I'm supposed to get two totes. So, I ended up grabbing one tote and I put some stuff in there and then I got a phone call. Somebody was letting me know we had a family member pass away this morning. So, I was just getting ready to leave, but I thought I could go to the front and ask for my keys. There's a lady that's usually right here. She's pretty good about letting you know somebody like park your car and then go. I went in and I got one of the totes cuz I need to get candy for the department and then I was going to put the other stuff in that tote for my It's my personal stuff that I'm going to buy for for today. So, I couldn't fit the other tote in there cuz there's two lids and there's only one tote. Right? I have to pay for the tote. >> I can go Did the Did you see the video at all yet? >> No, do you want to just confirm >> Yeah, I'm going to go watch. So, the tote you have, how come you were putting it aside and putting a lid on it? >> Cuz I'm going to fit another tote in there with candy, if that makes any sense. It just fits side by side. >> I just want to see the video cuz she's telling us something and I want to make sure that what she's trying to tell us doesn't match up. >> watching her on the video. >> Yeah. I went She was in the front end. Yeah. >> That That checks the self checks that are closed. She went through there. She had her phone out. She Then she cuts around the corner, goes over to Clint, door two. Clint talks to her. She turns around. She goes to customer service. She waits in line in customer service for a minute or two. She rolls up, says a couple words to generally the team lead, comes out, heads back to door two, talks to Clint again, circles back around, and then she cuts through up through the self check, turns around, gets in line at self check five. >> Okay. >> She goes to self check five. She buys She scans the tote, just the tote. Doesn't open anything. Scans the tote, just the tote. Gets her receipt. Heads out. Goes right past the the door host on one. Heads And she's past everything. She's past the scanner. or the >> yeah. >> And that's when we stopped her and said, "Hey, what are you doing?" >> So, cuz she's she's claiming that she was trying to find someone to watch her cart cuz she didn't know where but that doesn't explain why she would then try to push out the merchandise. >> You said you came here and you're buying it for the department. What were you buying for the department? >> For what? >> Uh it's a trunk or treats. >> Your uh department pay for that? >> Yes, they gave me $500. >> And you're telling me and this make sure it's clear cuz you had a family member die, you lost your keys, got flustered, and it was on unintentional, it was a mistake, nothing was intentional. >> Yes, I >> All of this is so convoluted. It all of it is this convoluted intertwining story but it still doesn't make sense why she didn't scan the items that she put inside the tote. Does she not understand this? So stupid that she thinks that this is a logical excuse. Okay, I understand. You are claiming that you lost your keys and you needed to have someone watch your stuff while you looked for the keys or you needed to see if your keys were returned in and then you're going to you're going through self-check out, you're going to customer service, you're talking to the door greeter a couple times, you're going to the team lead, you're doing all these things but you still roll through self-checkout only having scanned and paid for the tote and nothing inside the tote. And [ __ ] I don't see candy anywhere, okay? I know you said you were going to have to come back for the candy and get a separate tote to put it in, whatever. Uh I saw dog food, I saw laundry detergent, I saw all these things that had nothing to do with the department and you failed to pay for all of them. All of them. The only thing you paid for is the tote. This convoluted story that you're telling is just making you look stupid because it has nothing to do with the fact that you paid for nothing inside that tote. So, try again. >> I'm a detective. I know this is not what I did. >> And so, that's your bag, your personal bag? >> Yes. >> So, you do you have any problem if I look through and make sure there's no keys or nothing in there? >> Yes, that's fine. >> And you have no keys on you? And so, that way I'm going to sort it out cuz I'll I'll if it's truly a mistake, the last thing I want you to do is in our car. Okay, so let me just give me a minute. Let me try to figure this out. That's why I wanted to respect you and put you here so you're not in front of everybody out there. >> No, I'm feeling already embarrassed. That's not my intention. >> Okay, just hang tight for me, okay? >> Thank you. >> Did she say any reason why she was like stuffing it at all? >> Like she told me cuz she had two totes and so with the two totes it took all the carts so that's why she was putting it in there and then there cuz otherwise she wouldn't have enough room. It just kind of makes sense to me. >> Okay. But but she did end up purchasing one tote though? >> Okay, you can say that it kind of makes sense to you but where is the second tote? Where was the second tote? She said that she was putting everything inside the main tote because there wouldn't have been enough room in the car for everything plus the second tote and all of the candy. So where is the second tote and all of the candy? Okay? I know that she said that she was going to go back for it after she found her keys or whatever BUT THAT STILL DOESN'T EXPLAIN WHY SHE DIDN'T scan the other stuff inside the tote. You might claim that you were all kerfuffled and maybe you had a moment of oh, I forgot there was stuff inside the tote because you got a phone call that a family member had died but you were still cognizant enough to pay for the one tote. Your excuse makes no sense. Oh, they better not give her any more professional courtesies because I'm going to be pissed. >> But then they okay. We'll post the video so so we can put it if we want we can put a bag in here we can go take a look at that video just to make sure I I agree with you just to make sure. >> Hey, real quick question. I was talking to the officer and when you went through there you did pay for one of the totes. How come you only paid for one and none of the stuff in there? >> Well, cuz I was I was like I said I got a phone call. I was I was flustered. >> So you got a phone you got a phone call when you're checking out or when? >> No, no, I got it on my way out. >> So after you checked out? >> Yes. >> So but yeah, so >> no, no, no, let me let me re >> You dumbass. No, I got the phone call about the dead family member after I had already checked out and stolen all the merchandise. Oh, oh wait. Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. Uh no, I didn't say that right. Hold on. Go back. Give me one more professional courtesy, officer. >> [laughter] >> You dumb ass. >> Freeze that. I got a phone call a little bit earlier than that on my way out the other side. I forgot that there was other items in there and like I said, like in my mind thinking, "Okay, I got to go look for my keys to get out of here." >> Okay. Okay, hang tight. We're just going to check the video, okay? >> Yeah, we just want to make sure that we can Right. clearly refute what she's trying to tell us. >> So, I got to ask her this. >> She has to fight this cuz she's She wants to keep her certification. >> All right. So, under our criteria, this is um >> She's already staged the tote. >> Yeah, so the tote is full of all the stuff that you said already. >> Okay. >> Okay, grabs the receipt. Why is she grabbing a bag? >> This is confusing to me. She grabs a bag and sticks it in there and then she never does anything with it. >> My man, is she planning to like go try to do returns on the merchandise with the bag? Like, what is the plan here? Something weird's going on. Okay. All right, she's full of it. >> Yeah, we're thinking so. >> So, she she takes out a bunch of stuff. She keeps putting one item in the tote, closes the lid. >> She went to a door host, went to customer service. At no point did she leave the cart or attempt to leave the merchandise. She has the tote staged in the cart. She goes up to the self-checkout station. >> Takes the receipt, grabs an empty Walmart bag, and then proceeds right past everything to come out the doors. That's when they stopped her. The tote was like this. >> Was there any candy items? >> Nope. >> That don't make sense cuz didn't she say she came to buy candy for the PD? >> She's just trying to play on our emotions with the chocolate treats. >> She's She's lying. One tote, two lids, and then the empty bag. I'm thinking she grabbed the bag to try to probably stage it as legitimate if she got stopped. It would be like, "Yes." >> Everything I've seen I've seen her in this Walmart. Everything I've seen, she was super nervous. >> Yeah. And I recognize her and I swear I've seen her on the cameras before. >> Yeah, let us know too if you see anything else. >> Yeah, I'll definitely tell you. >> Would you like her trespass on top of this too? >> No, it's her first one, so >> My thought, we go back to re-interview her, just straight up lay it out, say, "Listen, the difference between you getting booked into jail today and getting cited for shoplifting is you telling the truth. Because I think if she still wants to continue to lie about it, we also charge her false reporting, dude. Like because I mean what's the reason? Why lie at this point? >> My issue is her doing this makes all of us look bad. So it's kind of BS. >> I think if she's willing to tell the truth, we consider that option. But I think if she wants to try to dig in her heels and stick with the rebellious story, then dude, no, we're not playing that. >> Car's here. Call supervisor. You need to pick up car at Walmart. >> I'm I'm game for that. I think that's my feeling. >> I think it's a good strategy. I really do. Let's do it. >> This was a personal bag, right? >> Yeah, it's all her personal, yeah. >> That all belongs to the white woman. >> What is that? >> C10 Pro, dude. IR scanner. >> What's an IR scanner? >> I don't know. Let me look it up. >> Pretty high-tech stuff there. >> It's a camera detector. Like for detecting surveillance cameras. >> Oh. What is that thing? >> Detecting surveillance cameras. >> Yeah, or bugs like RF frequency stuff. Is that the That's the bag that she took it That bet you. >> I couldn't hear her super good, but she said she claimed Oh, she got a lot of them. >> Oh, nice, dude. >> She's probably been doing this for a while. >> Yeah, well, and so Milo said he swore he has seen her before. >> So I'd be interested if he goes back and finds anything else. >> Dude, you know he will. >> Yeah. Captain Captain Steals Home. >> Oh, nice. >> Okay, real quick, I'm going to tell you after going in there, went through a video and saw the video on that and actually seen where you know, each time going through there concealing items and then you Why did you grab an extra Walmart bag when you checked out? >> I did I? >> Yeah. >> I didn't realize that. >> Well, even in your bag you got a bunch of empty Walmart bags. >> are for poop for my Belgian Malinois. >> So you keep them when you buy, but you don't recall grabbing one today? Okay. Well, and then initially you told me you came here because a trunk or treat you'd say you give me Well, none of the stuff you had with you were nothing with candy or nothing like that. >> Well, yeah. So I was going to do my stuff and then come through and get the candy stuff cuz it's it's heavy to carry in a tote. >> It just doesn't look good the whole thing, but I just asked you to be honest, cuz here's the situation here. Video's here, the other officers reviewed it, and so that's why I'm asking you to be honest. You were both officers, so >> No, that was not my intention. >> So, you never had intention, you're saying it's totally accidental. >> Yes. >> All right. Hang tight with me. Do you mind if I talk to >> Jump in. Yeah, she's already been read her rights. >> So, here's the situation. Obviously, you know why we're over here. >> Yes, I do. >> Yep. So, why were the items inside of the tote? >> Like I said, I have two separate totes. I was going to do one for the candy, and then one for my personal stuff. I was on my way home. >> Mhm. >> Now, we told her professional courtesy. She didn't even have to cuss. We know that no one else >> And when were you going to get the candy then? >> Um I was going to get them probably at the same time. I was going around to make Candy usually melts. I didn't want to put it in my car right away. >> I believe that you're looking for your keys, but here's the deal, you did a crime today. >> I know it doesn't look good. >> Mhm, no, it's illegal. It's not that it doesn't look good. It's it's shoplifting. It's >> She just thinks that this whole professional courtesy thing is going to like COVER HER ASS FOR ANYTHING ILLEGAL that she does. Oh, I mean, I know it doesn't look good. It It doesn't look good. And he's like, uh it looks illegal, [ __ ] >> [laughter] >> It doesn't look good. It's shoplifting, you [ __ ] >> That was not my intention. >> I'm not asking you what your intention is, okay? >> I know I got a feeling that you >> when you got here you planned to steal stuff. >> No. >> I'm not saying that. >> What's Officer give me my call camera rundown. What's the number? >> Oh, uh >> Previous work friend essence work. >> Now, you're a certified peace officer, correct? >> Yes. >> If I lost my keys, what are the keys for? >> My car, my unit. >> Yeah. So, if I lost my keys for my unit, I would leave my merchandise and go find it, because it's kind of important. Especially since your weapon's in there, correct? >> Yes. >> So, why go through self-checkout, purchase the tote, and then try to leave the store? >> Hey, how's it going? We're chatting with her. If you could just give us a couple minutes. Actually, can we talk over here real quick? You're her captain, right? >> Yes. So, they have her on video and it looks pretty clear that she was uh concealing items into a tote. >> They've been They've been watching you. I watched the surveillance video. You look like a thief. I'm going to be honest with you, you look like a shoplifter on the video. I've watched a lot of shoplifters on video. You look like a shoplifter. >> Okay, that's not good then. >> It's not. I mean, we're dealing probable cause, right? What's probable? Let me ask you. >> I understand. >> You have this call right now. Take your profession out of it. What's probable? >> Evidence whatever that you've got. >> I'm not asking you that. I'm asking you what's probable. >> I guess what it looks like. >> What does it look like? >> It looks like shoplifting. >> It does. >> Because it is shoplifting. Round of applause. She came to that conclusion all by herself. Almost. I know, it doesn't look good. It doesn't look good. Yeah, I'm sorry because you wear a badge, it doesn't mean that you get to commit crimes and just say, "Oh, it didn't look good." No. Um you're in deep [ __ ] >> Have a good day. >> All right, sit tight. >> Joe, this is her happy face. >> Oh, hello. So, she's saying she did she didn't need to buy a tote. >> Cool. Well, she also shoplifted. >> Yeah, that's what I told you. >> Problem is that she's giving us seven different stories about what she was doing and how she was trying to get that accomplished. And asset protection watched her load a tote with personal items. One item at a time, close the lid every time. She had ample opportunities to stop and leave her cart with someone. She decided instead to purchase only the tote that was full of the items and then attempt to leave the store without stopping to talk to anybody before she was confronted by asset protection. >> Does she have her uni key? >> No, she's saying she still doesn't know where that is. But, we also haven't dug through her pockets or anything like that. But, I mean, she did shoplifting. So, that's where we're at today. >> Okay. >> Is that the very least she's getting charged for shoplifting? >> Okay. >> So, I was just talking to the supervisor and make sure it was okay. He said it's okay if you want to see the video. So that way you understand what we're dealing with. >> Yeah. >> By now officers had reviewed the footage, heard her [music] story, and felt confident they understood what happened. But before making any decisions, they wanted her own captain to see the video for herself. But when they stepped [music] back into Walmart, they were met with new information. >> Hey, can you can you show us that video again real quick? >> Yeah, um so I I'm pretty sure I found her doing it. I think I found her doing it again. >> Okay. >> She found her doing it another time in that aisle. >> There's another one. Um I this one's going to take a lot longer. >> That's all right. >> Another one, too? >> Yeah, so I found another one. >> This one's the the most concerning cuz I got to make sure that she didn't pay for any of this stuff. I don't want to say anything out of turn, but >> Sure. Yeah, yeah, no I >> She has a tote with a bunch of stuff around it. One of my associates actually does her job for once and takes the tote the top of the tote off. >> Holy cow. >> Yeah, there's LEGO sets on LEGO sets on LEGO sets. So that's all inside of there. I don't want to make sure that that she didn't at any point pay for this already, but that's pretty suspicious in in our line of work. >> Give me the date. >> How many totes does this [ __ ] own? Oh my god. >> [laughter] >> Literally had a tote full of LEGO sets and an associate plucked that lid off and exposed them. And I'm guessing she had to buy them or be like, "Oh, I didn't know that they were in there." Clearly she's done this before and this is a routine thing for her. She just fills up totes, buys the totes, and not the stuff inside. Clearly this is not her first time. It's probably not even her second time. She's probably done this a dozen times. Wow. Wow, wow, wow. And this is what they call an abuse of power. >> It's um today's the what? The 6th? >> is the 6th of the 30th. >> 9:30. >> And then the big one was going to be 8:27. >> 8:27. >> If that is what we see. >> It she looks like she >> Yeah, so she puts it back on without No, she had her back but at the same maybe it's a backpack she carries always, but >> Maybe that's like her purse or something. >> Yeah, but this one 30th she's she has like her hair She has her Looks like work >> Looks like Yeah, work boots on there. So, on the 9:30 in uniform and today uniform. And her patrol vehicle's out there now. So, like I told you, you know, I'm straight with me. And I'm going to I'm going to be straight with you right now. >> Okay. >> So, after loss prevention has saw you this little time, he found two other days where you're shoplifting it with the toys, filling the other one with candy. So, if it if it's truly those three, then they want us to book you in for a felony for the value in that cuz the one with all the toys you didn't pay for or the other time when you came in. So, they have three videos they're pulling right now and it's showing the 10 That's why I asked you to be honest. Just give me a I'll give you an opportunity. So, we're human. We make mistakes. And did you do it or not? I mean That's why I said doesn't look good especially you being an officer if you're lying to me. But straight I made a mistake I did this. Tell me. That's all I'm asking you. So, is that something you commonly do and just >> wasn't I wasn't trying to take anything today. >> Today? >> No. >> But you have in the past? >> Yes. >> Okay. That's it. I tell you have to be honest with me cuz that's the worst thing is when I see those videos. >> Why are you going to fess up to doing it in the past but still say today it wasn't intentional? You are clearly a liar. Liar, liar, pants on fire. You meant to do it today, too. Come on. Just fess up to it. You already look bad. You're making yourself look worse. >> And then you tell me today. You know what I mean? So, in the past you did but today it was truly an accident. >> Yes. >> Okay. Fair enough. I appreciate that, okay? And that's why I'm trying to work with you. I just don't want to handcuff you. I'm not doing that. I would expect you to do the same with me if you dealt with me, okay? >> Yes. >> So, you take time. That's why I'm going to keep you posted. There we go. I just want to close it cuz you're going to be straight with me. I asked and obviously you haven't cuz that's why I went in there. They showed me two other videos and I said so, there was three. They're booking you for a felony. She's like, "Today wasn't intentional." I said, "So, are you telling me you never stole here?" She's like, "I have stole here." >> So, she's admitting to it now? >> But not today. >> But >> They'll give Miles some time to give us the evidence but he >> He told me within an He told me I said I gave him my number. He I said, "So, you have an answer within an hour?" He said, "Within an hour." >> And just to tell you, she asked what was going on after you were here. And I said after reviewing the video, >> Mhm. I realized you lied to me. I said have you stolen here? She said yeah, I have stolen here. But today wasn't intentional. So we're going to discuss it with our boss, go back to see if we're doing the long form. >> be nice to do a long form so she can come in tomorrow based on leave or something pending investigation. >> We'll let you know here in about 20 minutes or so. >> All right, thank you, ma'am. >> Appreciate it, Captain. >> Hey Melissa, what were you thinking? I mean, I don't understand. Why would you put your career on line for something foolish like this? You know what I mean? It's not It's not worth it. Even if you say today wasn't intentional, they've already got three other videos. Why would you do I just don't understand. >> In the days that followed, loss prevention completed a full audit of Melissa's past visits and detectives reviewed the transactions tied to her employee status and the items she claimed were for work. That review uncovered additional concerns including purchases made with department funds [music] that didn't match what was taken and items that were never reimbursed. With the repeated thefts, the use of a tote to conceal merchandise and the financial discrepancies, the case was forwarded for felony review under Arizona's organized retail theft [music] and fraudulent scheme statutes. Investigators ultimately linked her to multiple incidents over several months with roughly $1,200 in alleged thefts and fraudulent refunds including returns on items that records showed were never purchased. Melissa was cited and released that night, trespassed from every Walmart and later indicted on multiple counts of felony shoplifting and fraudulent schemes. [music] She pleaded not guilty and her employment status with the department has not been publicly updated since. However, if convicted, she would automatically face decertification in the state of Arizona and never again be allowed to work as a trusted public servant. We reached out to Melissa Ward for comment but did not receive a response. >> Of course she didn't comment. She's a stupid thief AND SHE GOT CAUGHT. OKAY, SO I WAS close but I overshot a little bit. They caught her doing this eight times on footage. I said probably a dozen or more. It was only eight but let's talk about the fact that an internal audit found that she was using department funds inappropriately and not properly reimbursing them. Oh, she was stealing from the police department, too. Oh, she's a bad egg. Bad bad bad egg. Bad egg. And what that officer said is absolutely true. She makes the whole department look bad. You shouldn't have to wonder if there's a police officer walking around in uniform doing their shopping after their shift, you shouldn't have to worry that they're shoplifting. Like you shouldn't have to. And oh, she was a bad egg. Bad egg. And she got busted, so I'm very happy to see that. If you like these kind of videos, the fastest way to let me know is by hitting that thumbs up button. While you're down there, also double-check and make sure that you are subscribed and ring that notification bell. That way you're notified when I post the next video. Thank you guys again so much for watching, and I will see you in the next one. Bye.