On March 13th, 2025, a shocking call came in from J.C. Penney after a 78-year-old staff member was accused of theft. Before we go in, I just wanted to kind of brief you. It is an internal associate. We have him in the back, which is by the salon, but I wanted to make sure it was okay with you. We kind of He He's caused us He's been taken from us for over 18 months. The shrink is well over six figures for us. So, we were hoping that we can actually have him walked out through the jewelry department just in case if there is anything else going on kind of as like a deterrent to the rest of the members in our store. Is that something that would be okay? Yeah, I mean, he's got to I got to bring him out this way anyway. >> Okay. Yeah, that's fine. Okay, cool. Cool. Cool. Just wanted to make sure. Yeah. So, did he admit to the taking the stuff basically? >> He admitted to doing it for over the 18 months. We did make him write a statement for us to also add to our files. So, we'll provide you guys with a copy of his statement as far as admitting. So, what we are attempting to prosecute right now is what we have on video because over because of the shrinkage that was caused, we were able to put in cameras in certain areas. So, now we're we were kind of able to develop and finally catch him in the act. >> Got you. So, what we have on camera was him stealing two gold chains, which were valued at $9,624. Okay, so that's for sure. >> video. And then as far as everything else, we did partner with our investigator. This was his pawn history that was given to us by Gainesville PD. Got you. >> So, that's what he received, but this is definitely totaling that like 33K, like 330K Okay. of merchandise. Um Please. >> But, yeah. So, he's been he's been hitting us for a long time. Um, but like I said, what we're just kind of focused on at this time is what we have on the video, which is the 9,000. Um, if there was a detective that wanted to go further and partner with us, then absolutely. Yeah. More than likely it'll get forwarded to them. Um especially with the amount and stuff. So, I'll put in there that you guys have receipts from uh, the pawn shops showing that he pawned it off. Yeah, that's crazy. Yeah. Yeah, he's um, he's 78 years old or 77 years old. >> Okay. Um, so he wasn't one that we were looking for or even expecting truly. Um, so we were kind of all caught off guard when we when we found out about this. Yeah. Okay. Um, and then you guys have a receipt for the the two things >> Correct. Yeah. I have that and the video if you wanted to see. Yeah, of course. Thank you. What's his name again? Brian. Oh, Paul is in the back. He's not How you doing? How you doing, sir? You got showing the video and stuff? >> Yes. Yeah, he got it. Got it. I know that you guys can't use this because this is a statement that he wrote for me. Um, but that way you see that he did eventually. Um, she'll show you the video. We what we have on video versus what his pawn history shows and and all the other stuff. Like he's he's into it way more than what we have video for. Um, but I know that your detectives will be able to go and and verify all Yeah. So, she pulled the um, this is like the [clears throat] last six month back to October of his pawn history. Got you. Um, it was done by uh, Detective Fuentes from Gainesville because he's part of a retail theft group that we're in. So, he ran it for our boss. Um, but that that you that's your copy. She's got a copy of video for you. Um, here's a copy of the receipts that for the actual items that was on video. Got you. Oh, and that's not I'm sorry. It's it's this one. With the video, there's your copy of the video. So, these are the two that we have on video. One One chain was $4,259 and one chain was $5,990. She'll show you the video. I'm going to go get him I'm going to go terminate him. He's trespassing and then you she'll walk you back whenever you're ready. Yep, that works. This camera wasn't there last year, but because of the shrinkage that we had, they finally worked on this camera and then also gave us a 360. So, he could have been doing it in the safe the the entire time and we just didn't know. And that's his the 3rd, right? Yes, March 3rd. Yeah, roughly around 8:00 between 8:00 or I'm sorry, 6:48 and 6:49 is when he takes it. So, he kind of stages it. And at this time, I'm actually passing by. And then once I pass by, he comes back. Oh, let's slow that down. Items in his hand. Okay. That's one out back pocket. Another chain. With the tag in the front left pocket. And then he does come back, but that's just to kind of do like closing paperwork. Normal stuff. And then he exits it for the night. So, never returned in and never saw it come back out of his pocket. Got you. Hey, how you doing, Paul? I'm Officer Colon with Daytona Beach. Okay. Hey. All right. So, I know you've been speaking with them probably for a little bit now. I'm just going to read you something real quick, okay? All right. So, these are your rights. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say may be used as evidence against you. You have the right to talk to an attorney and have them with you now anytime during questioning. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to represent you. If anytime you wish to stop talking or have an attorney present, all questions will be stopped at your request. Do you understand these rights? Yeah. All right. So, with these rights in mind, will you talk with me? Let me rephrase it. You're arresting me, you're arresting me, right? Well, I just need to get an answer now if you're going to talk with me or not. I mean, I don't know. I mean, you you just got to say yes or no. Yes, you will talk to me or no, you won't. Yeah, yes, yeah. Okay. All right, so I'm sure they explained everything to you, right? They got you on camera and doing all that stuff. I guess the only question is why? I had some watches to deal with. Okay. >> [clears throat] >> And you used the money to help you out with that, basically. Okay. >> [clears throat] >> Um [snorts] the video that they showed me is showed it was March 3rd. Do you remember that day? It was your last shift. Well, in the safe? >> Yes. Yeah. Okay. Um and that day on the video is showing you taking two two chains two chains, yeah. >> Yep. Okay. Um you took those chains. Did you pawn them? Did you Okay. Did you pawn them? Mhm. All right. Do you have anything else to add for me or anything like that or I mean Anything you want to say or I could say I'm sorry, but what else can I say? All right, Paul. So, they do want to go through with filing charges, so you are going to come with me today. We're working on statements and doing all that stuff, but that's where we are, okay? I'm just going to be honest with you. Um do you have any >> locked up for Yeah, your hold. Uh what's today? Thursday? So, you're going to have a bond. Um it's already Thursday afternoon, so I would probably say tomorrow afternoonish or or Saturday. >> Yeah, I won't [clears throat] be able to come up with the bond. Yeah, so you'll just have to wait till you'll just have to wait the first appearance, but >> [snorts] >> that's all. Um do you have any weapons or anything like that on you? No? Well, hold on. Before you say anything, it's not really a weapon, but it's camera. What is it like a key uh >> [snorts] >> Oh, okay. I got you. All right, appreciate it. Is this a work thing or Not ours. Oh, it's not yours. Okay. Ours are more like the safety ones. Okay, [laughter] I got you. They're like this. Um It's good for you. You know, too many accidents. All right. Am I allowed to call somebody? You You'll Yeah, I'll I'll work all that out with you. Um you've been cool with me. I'm going to be cool with you. We can work all that out. Um I know you you have a car here and everything. Yeah. Okay, yeah. So, I'll let you make some [music and singing] phone calls to deal with all that stuff before we take off, okay? All right, Paul, if you could just stand up for me, please. Well, can I make a call to my wife? >> I I listen, he's got to do He's got to do all his stuff first, and then before he takes you, he'll let you make your phone calls, okay? But there's still there's still procedures that we've got to get Yeah, once we get outside, I'll I'll let you do all that part, okay? Do I have to have your custody just to get outside? Yes, yeah. Paul, it's it's it's a felony. Don't worry about it. >> [clears throat] >> Here we go. John, I need him to talk to Mary. >> [snorts] >> Could you Well, just Just Just let me know what to tell my wife. Tell [clears throat] her you're going to what? That I'm being arrested. You want me to tell Mary? Well, she's the only person that's I'm close with in in jail. I'll talk I'll talk to Mary. I'll pull her I'll pull her aside. Oh, man. >> [clears throat] >> All right. All right. Well, all I have to do is sit down, and then I'm going to give you uh I'll get the phone open for you and let you make your call, okay? Oh, god damn, it's tight. And then I'm sure you have a code or something or oh, unless you don't. Well, this may be the only call I'll be able to get now or For now, once you get out to the jail, they'll let you make any other phone calls that you may need. And it's Volusia County. Volusia County Branch Jail. Hey Nick. Can you hear me? Okay, I'm being arrested. For stealing jewelry. For stealing jewelry. Never mind, never mind. It don't matter. I have been. But they're taking me to jail now. Um right now there's nothing much you can do until I I get back to the jail and they let me make another phone call or something. All right. Yes. All right. Bye. He was ultimately charged with grand theft. What do you think about this case? 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