Now, let you know if I decide to book her. No, I'm just joking. Yeah. What's going on? >> For you? >> So, what's going on right now? >> Hey, buddy. >> And I'm just saying how you doing. >> Good, thanks. >> Um >> You want us to come here or talk to us over there? >> Yeah, yeah, just come over here. I just want to show you that stuff. >> Oh, but She got totes. I saw her in the totes grabbing them. And since it's such a big issue with that, I just want to follow her. Um every single item she got, she opened a tote, put it in, and then closed it every single time. And then when she got to the front end, the only thing she purchased was the tote. >> One tote? >> One tote. The red tote that's in the cart. Oh, wait. There's one tote and change. Actually, it's a whole tote, too. So, there's two totes. Um and then she tried before she even bought the tote to She went through the GM exit, was stopped there by the door host, went back, went to the customer service, and then she went through GM, then went back, purchased a tote, and then went through grocery. So, that's kind of where we're at right now. >> Okay. So, uh so one tote >> Purchased one tote. >> And then filled the rest of it up with all >> No, so she grabbed the tote, went through the store loading up the tote. Every time she put something in the tote, she would close it again. So, open, close, open, close. >> Close and close and fill it up. Yeah. >> And then I followed her up to the front end where the first time she went through a lane that we have that's just impulse items. There's no registers. She went straight through and then tried to leave through groc- uh GM. Then she went back to the customer service cuz she was sent back to customer service. >> Huh. >> Um she tried to go through GM again, was stopped again. Then she went back to the grocery side >> to check out. >> Right. >> She purchased the one tote and then left out the grocery side. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> And you physically followed her around. >> followed her around. >> And you have her on camera, too? >> Uh yeah, I have uh part of it on camera. Oh, it'll all be on camera, but I have part of it tracking. >> Okay. So, you'll be able to put it together for me? >> Mhm. Yeah. >> Good stuff. Were you just Were you just getting off work and stuff? Okay. >> I'm getting stuff ready for PD for that. I need to change my grand house. >> Oh. >> So, I was going to ask the lady at the front if she could come down. >> Okay. >> While I go out to the parking lot. >> You got keys and stuff? Okay. >> So, I'm blessed because 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 um So, you're you're just literally coming back from back in the Chula. Okay. I got you. Okay. >> Do you have your weapon on you? >> No, I took it off. >> Okay. >> So, is there any personal stuff on you? >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> All right. We're we done here then? >> So, I'm going to take you out of that professional courtesy. I'm not putting you in handcuffs. We're going to take you to the car, put you in the back. I'm going to take your bag. This is 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? >> On June 10th, 2025, an off-duty detective was detained at a Walmart after asset protection flagged the shoplifting pattern. She was a sworn peace officer who knew surveillance systems evidence rules and the elements of the very crime she was committing. Retail theft requires three elements: willful concealment, passing the last point of purchase, and intent to deprive. All three are met here. Loading items one at a time into a closed tote satisfies concealment. Scanning only the tote at self-checkout satisfies passing the point of purchase. The deliberate open and close method satisfies intent. >> I'm I'm pitched behind you, so. We're going to Walk around here real quick, so. She's still She's got her patrol car here. Oh. And Melissa, you said you you didn't have your duty weapon on you or anything like that. You didn't have none of that stuff. >> Okay. All right. Just making sure. Just making sure. Have you sit back here? And then I'm going to read you your rights and then you're okay. >> So. >> Are you going to sign it? >> Yes, she was she was So, yeah, so So, that's why I was like, let's double check with Miles that he can get that cuz 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 in the bag? >> Exactly. So, make sure that we get that stuff. >> So, you want you you want to do that side now or do you? >> No, no, no, no. I think we'll be fine. I think uh we'll just double check with Miles and just make sure that he gets us the video of her concealing and passing points of sale without talking to an employee cuz >> Okay. I'm going to read you your Miranda rights. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have a right to presence of attorney with you to assist you prior to questioning and be with you during questioning if you so desire. If you cannot afford attorney, you have a right to have one appointed to you prior to questioning. Do you understand these rights? Okay, so what happened here? Just be straight with me. I mean, we all make mistakes. >> I'm looking for my keys. >> Okay. >> 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. >> Okay. >> So, somebody was letting me know we had a family member pass away this morning. >> Okay. >> So, I was just getting ready to leave, but I thought I could go to the front and ask for my keys, see if anybody brought them back. >> Okay. >> The only unit keys that I have is my keys. So, I went over, I asked the guy if anybody turned in any keys. He told me to go to customer service. I went over to customer service. There's a lady that's usually right here. She's pretty good about letting you know somebody buy park your cart and then you can go. I went in and I got one of the totes cuz I needed 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, there's only one tote, right? I paid for the tote. But, um the she wasn't up front. >> Mhm. >> So, as I was walking out I I didn't see her and I wasn't walking like I wasn't completely out. I was looking for her. She's usually right around here. And like I said >> And you're looking for for what? >> Um if I could park my car and I could go out in the parking lot and look for my keys. I don't know if I dropped them on my way when I was shuffling around in my pockets. I'm looking for my phone. Like I said, I got a call. No intention of taking anything. I'm just really flustered finding out that a family member had passed. And then like I said, I'm trying to find my keys to get out of there. It just >> Okay, so a few questions I have is so the tote you have How come you were putting it inside and putting the 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. >> So you can put in the car two totes? >> Yes. >> Candy, okay. So you said you came here and you're buying it for the department. >> Yes. >> What were you buying for the department? >> Candy. >> For what? >> Uh it's a trunk or treat. >> They're trunk or treat? When is it? >> Uh we have Wednesday the 13th and the 10th. And then I have the 10th or the 17th, the 24th and then the 29th and the 31st. >> So is this your department pay for that? >> Yes, they gave me $500. >> So you have 500 cash on you right now? >> Uh no, I was just going to use my card and then they >> Your bank card? >> the receipt. Yes. >> So do you have any cash on you now? >> Uh just 100 bucks. >> Is that personal or city money? >> That's my personal money. >> Your own personal? >> Yeah. >> So even though when I was you heard last perimeter how they're saying you went to the general park, they came back there, came back around this side. >> walked through to go talk to him about keys. I I realized I didn't >> So the whole thing you know we're using you went back and back and forth is because you can't find your keys. >> Yes. I did. I asked several people if they would help me find my keys. One lady told me at the customer service, she said, "Hey, just wait a second." So I went over to the side thinking maybe if I can go to the parking lot and get my keys. >> Okay. And so and you're telling me this make sure it's clear cuz you had a family member die. >> Yes. >> You lost your keys, got flustered, and it was on on a unintentional, it was a mistake. Nothing was intentional. >> Yes, I am a detective. I know this is not >> Okay. And so that's your bag, your personal bag? >> Yes. >> So, do you have any problem if I look there and make sure there's no keys or nothing in there? >> Yes, that's fine. >> and you have no keys on you? >> No, no, I don't. >> Okay, so let me see this. And so that way I'm going to sort it out cuz I'll see if it's truly a mistake. The last thing I want you to do is in our car. Okay, so let just give me a minute. Let me try to figure this out and 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. I don't want attention. >> Okay, just hang tight for me, okay? >> Thank you. >> Did you see any reason why she was like stuffing it in there? >> Like she told me cuz she had two totes. >> Okay. >> And so with the two totes it took all the cart, so that's why she's putting it in there and then there cuz otherwise she wouldn't have enough room. >> Okay, that kind of makes sense to me. >> Okay. >> So >> end up purchasing one tote though? Is that what they said? >> Yeah. >> Well, totes look at the video. So So we can put it if we want we can put her bag in here and we can go take a look at that video. Just to make sure I I agree with you. Just to make sure. >> me see me 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 not 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 >> Well, no, no, no, no, let me let me rephrase that. I got a phone call a little bit earlier than that on my way out the other side. >> So the first when you're leaving out outside >> Yes. >> and then you came back and paid for the one tote? >> Yes. >> And then you >> 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? >> Okay. >> So you want me to put it in there and we'll go check it? >> Yeah, yeah, let's just put her bag in >> That's kind of odd, man, that she only paid for one. That's the that's the thing that I'm >> Like I can see I can see mistakes, but >> One thing is mistakes, but first she tells me she got the call as she's walking out. I said well, then that don't make sense and then actually well, no, actually before I came here I got the call. So then she changed her story on me on that. >> Okay. >> So >> Yeah, I'm thinking Yeah, I'm thinking we're still probably >> Oh, yeah. going to move forward, but I guess it's worth just taking the extra step just to confirm, but that's weird yeah, because that's what don't sit right with me is that she packed it up. I guess she's saying cuz she wanted more room, but then wait, we got to clarify this cuz I she said I thought two totes this way that's why it don't fit. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, we're thinking so the she she takes out a bunch of stuff. She keeps putting one item in a tote closes the lid. One item in a 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. >> Yep. >> She has the tote staged in the cart. She goes up to the self-checkout scans so >> Scans one tote. >> Yes, one tote. Get taste the receipt, grabs an empty Walmart bag, and then proceeds to walk past everything. >> Yeah. That's what we were thinking. The first she was trying to say that she got some phone call and she forgot, but I'm like she's like then I just got to go out to I'm like so she kept Why would you buy one tote though and not buy anything? You know? No, it's okay. It's good though. I get what you're saying. >> Every time she went to a door, she was putting her phone up. I'm pretty sure it's like every single time either >> She's trying to avoid engagement with associates. >> That happens with pushouts. They're always on their phone or they're always looking busy. >> Yeah, she said she had a family death and that's why. >> But it doesn't make sense. Okay, so Yeah, she had it all. And then Was there any candy items? >> Nope. >> That don't make sense cuz didn't she say she came to buy candy for the PD? The only thing The only thing she scanned Yeah. Then she claimed she only came here to buy candy for the PD for the trunk or treat. None of this is candy. >> Yeah, trunk or treat the 10-13 through 7-19 they give us >> She's just She's just trying to play on her emotions. >> Asset protection identified two prior incidents at the same Walmart August 27th involving concealed LEGO sets and August 30th involving candy placed over concealed dog food. LEGO sets alone can approach the $500 felony threshold. Three aggregated incidents allow prosecutors in most states to charge grand larceny. Miranda versus Arizona, 384 US 436 requires a rights advisement before custodial interrogation. Miranda was correctly administered on camera. The subject then made a partial admission that she had shoplifted at this Walmart on prior occasions. A post-Miranda admission is direct admissible evidence and cannot be walked back. >> Yeah. >> Hello. >> Hey, HOW ARE YOU? IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU. BYE-BYE. >> [laughter] >> Do you have a place to sit? >> Yeah, huh. Uh-huh. Yeah, you're all done with cheer, huh? Yeah, it's good to see you again now. I'll tell Journey you say hey, okay? All right, bye-bye. Yeah, it's >> So, it was like >> Not just she >> When she comes up to the self-checkout, it's like this. >> With all this inside. >> She scooted a little bit further. She takes the little scanner. She just reaches in, scans the tote. >> Just the one? >> Pays for that, and then immediately she >> So, it's the Oh, so Oh, she has one tote but two lids? >> 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. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yes. >> Yes. So, that sounds kind of intentional then, too. >> the tote to scan the items. >> But, she made an effort to put it all in there and close it. >> I saw her putting one item in and then closing the lid. >> I'll also tell you >> Yeah. >> Everything I've seen I'm just saying I'm just a nice worker at Walmart, but everything I've seen she was super nervous. >> Yeah. >> And I recognize her and I swear I've seen her on the camera footage. >> Yeah. Okay. Yeah, let us know, too, if you do see anything else. >> Cuz I think if she's wants to continue to lie about it, we also charge her false reporting. >> Like that. >> Because what's the reason? Why lie at this point? >> Yeah, at this point. Cuz there's >> The reason why I came up here and that's my issue is >> Yeah. >> So, I was just telling you >> My thought process is we go back, just re-interview her after seeing the video and hearing narrative that they told. And just tell her, "Listen, you need to tell me the truth. If she's willing to tell us the truth, we can consider the safe release option. But if she wants to stick to her lies, I think we take her down and book her. There's no So you get through it real quick and be out of here real quick, okay? And we'll just go to a read review real quick. Travel Travel what belongs to the white bag. >> What is that? >> C10 Pro, dude. IR scanner. >> What's an IR scanner? >> I don't know. >> It was pretty high-tech stuff there. >> Like for detecting surveillance cameras. >> What is that thing? >> Detecting surveillance cameras. Like a remote camera, like RF >> That's kind of huh. And then she said she said >> Cuz I I couldn't hear her. She just >> What >> She claimed that she got a lot of Walmart >> That's weird. Okay, real quick. I'm going to tell you after going in there went to the video and saw the video on that. And I just seen where, you know, each time going through there concealing the items. And then you Why did you grab an extra Walmart bag? When you checked out? >> I did I? >> Yeah. >> I didn't realize it. >> Well, even in your bag you got a bunch of empty Walmart bags. >> Those are for poop for my Belgian Malinois. So I usually >> So you keep them when you buy but you don't recall grabbing one today? >> I usually just grab one and I use it to pick up the dog poop. >> I mean here while you're leaving, why would you grab one if you didn't need a bag for your items purchased? >> I sorry. >> Okay. Well, and then initially you told me you came here because the trick-or-treat you said you gave you 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 really heavy to carry in a tote. The candy bags are are are big. >> Well, I'm going to be straight with you cuz the other officer went in there, watched the video, all your interactions, everything you did, and it it doesn't appear that nothing would happen accidentally today. >> Well, I I asked if they could help me find my keys. I asked if anybody had left keys. I don't know if you've asked and talked >> Yeah, well, no, I did. I I did ask him and verify keys and stuff like that. And he said no one turned in keys, no one nothing like that. And they and they even got to the point that they brought up the fact that every time when you went towards extra you put the phone up like you you're on the phone, then you put it back down. And so just >> up the call. I it's I told my mom. >> Okay. So, I'm just saying, you know, it just doesn't look good the whole thing, but I'm just asking you to be honest cuz here's the situation here. And this is the what the what I was told cuz I'm here new here from Phoenix. You know, one straight forward get that, then we sign a release, if not, then we just book in. So, that's why I'm saying the video's here, the other officer's reviewed it. And said that's why I'm asking you to be honest. You were both officers, so >> Yes. No, that was not my intention. >> So, you never had intention, you're saying it's totally accidental. >> Yes. >> But you do agree that you did pass the point of purchase when you walked out. That the register's over there. >> I know, but that lady, like I said, she always I thought she walked all the way down putting a shopping cart. I was looking for her. >> Okay. >> And that's when they stopped me. >> Okay, but then at that point you still did pass the points of purchase. You agree with that? >> Yes, I do. >> Okay, I I I hear what you're saying, but the fact is how, you know, the points of purchase. >> just going to go ahead and see if she would take my cart so I could check the parking lot for my keys because I can't find my keys. >> All right. But if it wasn't paid for anyway, even if you just left it there, right? You could have just left it in the middle of the store cuz you you didn't pay for it. >> yeah, you're right. >> Yeah, so it wouldn't have mattered at that point. And the second the one thing I have heartburn about is two, when you said, you know, cuz you're having to watch your cart, well, why have her watch your cart if you took the time to scan one tote but You even nothing else? >> I would just, like I said, in my mind I was thinking she passed away from a heart attack, so in my she's only 40. >> Who is that? >> Katrina. >> Who is that that you know? >> Katrina, she's a family friend. >> So, a family friend passed out a heart attack, and when were you notified of this? >> I got my phone, I don't >> No, I'm just just estimating. When were you notified? Earlier, correct? You said earlier? >> Yes. >> So, this is earlier before you got here. Yeah, it might be on your mind, but you had your >> No, no, it no, it was And what's the time? >> No, I don't ask exact, just estimate. >> Like I said, it was it was in here >> Right. >> when I got the call. >> Right. So, you're saying So, you didn't get the You didn't You weren't aware of that her dying until you got in Walmart. >> Yes. >> Cuz I could have sworn the first time you said you heard earlier, and then when you came back in, then you said it afterwards. >> No, no, she called me to let me know >> while you're in the Walmart shopping. >> trying to like I was looking for my keys. I was going to leave. >> Okay. So, right when she called you, you're going to leave after you got notified that. Even though you didn't get the trunk or treat stuff in that. >> No, I could come back tomorrow and do that another day. >> Okay. All right. Hang tight with me. Hey. See, the only thing is so, she's saying that person dying died, but originally she told me cuz the reason she didn't get the trunk or treat stuff, yeah. Cuz she said she didn't get the trunk or treat stuff because of keys, and now she's saying she didn't get cuz of people dead, she she was going to leave. >> Well, now and so as she told you literally while I was standing here, well, she was going to come back out, then go back in and get the trunk or treat stuff. >> Yeah, but now we're going to do it tomorrow. >> Yeah. >> Because cuz yeah. >> Cuz that's you changed it twice on me. >> Yeah. >> So, that's why at the beginning she told me the whole reason why she was going to get her keys and then go there and then pay for the items and get the trunk or treat stuff cuz she didn't get her items first. Then she told me after she got the call that person died, she was going to wait till tomorrow to get them. >> Sure. >> keeps changing on me, so >> Can I Do you mind if I talk to her? >> in, yeah. She's already been Mirandized. >> Perfect. I'm sorry, what was your name? >> Ward. >> Ward? >> Yes. >> Okay. Sure. So, here's the situation, right? Obviously, you know why we're over here. >> Yes, I do. >> Yep. Yep. What kind of animals do you have at home? >> I have dogs. >> Dogs? How many? >> Uh eight. >> That's quite a few. What kind? >> Uh Belgian Malinois and New Yorkies. >> Okay. Very good. Um 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. So, why were the items inside of the tote, though? >> Just to make room. I wasn't Like I said, you can fit two totes side by side in the cart. >> There weren't two totes in the cart. >> No, I guess I grabbed I thought I had grabbed two, but I grabbed two lids. >> Okay. Okay. Um and so, you put the items in the tote? >> Yes, I did. >> The animal items, things like that, and those are your personal items. >> Yes, those are mine. >> Okay. All right, so you put those in the tote to keep make room. >> Yes. >> Um 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. >> Mhm. >> I was just going to get it on my way out. >> Or >> come back in. >> Okay. >> I guess that makes sense. >> Which one do you think makes sense? >> Well, like I said, I was normally put the totes side by side so they fit in there. So, I can lift the tote in there cuz one of them's usually the heaviest, it's the candy. >> So, you went to self-checkout, right? >> Yes. >> And what did you purchase at the self-checkout? >> I just got the tote. I was >> Why not the items inside of the tote? >> Completely I did not see the items inside of the tote. I didn't I know, but >> Then you tried to leave the store. >> Yes. >> And you got confronted by asset protection. >> Yeah, I was trying to go to talk to that lady to see if she could hold my cart. >> Mhm. >> I was looking for my keys. Honest, looking for my keys. >> I understand that. I understand that. Um I believe that you're looking for your keys. Right? >> Yes. >> But here's the deal, you did a crime today. >> I know it doesn't look good. >> Mm, no, it's illegal. It's not that it doesn't look good, it's it's shoplifting. This >> That was not my intention. >> I'm not asking you what your intention was, okay? >> I know. I got to find >> I'm not saying when you got here you planned to steal stuff. >> No. >> I'm not saying that. I'm saying something happened and along the way all we paid for was a tote and then we tried to leave the store and you're saying to find a lady, but you went to customer service, you went to one of the greeters prior to going and purchasing the tote. At any point, at any point, you could have left your property. Right? 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 you said your weapon's in there, correct? >> Yes. >> So, why go through self-checkout, purchase the tote, and then start to leave the store? We just need to be We just need to be on the level. That's it. We're done. We're done playing games. >> It's not to take I wasn't trying to take anything, honestly. Okay? My intention was not to steal anything. Okay? >> Okay. >> That's not what's happening at all. >> At what point? >> No, none of it. No, none of it at all. Like I said, I >> you put all these items in the tote one by one. >> Yes, they >> Asset protection watched you do that. They watched you close the lid on the tote after every time you put something in there. 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. It's not and it makes it hard for me to believe that you didn't remember things were in the tote when you went to leave the store. Especially when you grab the bag, cuz you know what that looks like, right? What does that look like? >> Yeah, like I >> You grab one bag with a bunch of stuff in the tote you didn't buy, what does it look like? >> Yeah, it looks like I was trying to take something. >> Yeah, it looks like you're going to try to make your purchase appear legitimate with a bag, right? You're going to put some stuff in there and I don't know at what point your plan was to do that. I don't know. >> that no, that wasn't it. >> Yeah, but >> I always get a bag and I use it for my Belgian Malinois to pick up poop. He's got the biggest >> Yeah. Right. So, I mean, we're dealing probable cause, right? What's probable? Let me ask you. You have this call right now. Take your profession out of it. What's probable? >> Evidence that I've already 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. >> I'm sorry. That was not my What a day. >> Okay. Do you still not know where your keys are? >> No, I That's I'm telling you that's >> Okay. All right, sit tight. >> The officers extended professional courtesy, no handcuffs, a private setting, and multiple rounds of patient questioning. The 14th Amendment's equal protection clause requires substantially similar treatment for similarly situated individuals. A civilian suspect would be handcuffed during transport and would not receive three opportunities to refine her account. Professional courtesy has no statutory basis. The subject's account shifted materially four times the timing of the phone call, the reason for multiple exit attempts, why only the tote was scanned at checkout, and whether she planned to return for the department candy. In most states, making false statements to law enforcement during an investigation is itself a chargeable offense, separate from the underlying theft. >> Officer Joe, this is Sergeant Hatfield. >> Oh, hello. >> So, she's saying she did she didn't need to buy a tote. She bought a tote with a theme. >> also shoplifted. >> Yeah, that's what I told her. >> Uh-huh. >> And this is the second lid explains she came back with a tote without a lid, so she came back to get the second lid. >> Oh, okay. >> Let her know none of the items were purchased. To get the second lid. >> Second tote and a lid of the first tote. >> tote last um a couple days ago and then she forgot to get the lid. I'm like, "What a tote with >> Well, that doesn't match the story that she's telling us either. >> So, she she probably bought the tote with their funds. >> so I think that we gave her we gave her like $500 in a check cuz we do a lot of >> She paid she paid with a card for the tote. >> Uh-huh. >> That she loaded with items that pushed she pushed out of the store. >> Does she have a department card, too, or >> No, it's just a $500 check that was issued to her and then she gives back the receipts and >> Okay. >> So, >> So, she did >> So, did she deposit that and then >> I don't know what she did with it. We just know I just gave we just gave her >> And then she's supposed to give the receipt back? >> receipts come back to us to justify and then >> Cuz she's I mean the the problem is this, right? The problem is that she's given us seven different stories about what she was doing and how she was trying to get that accomplished. >> Yeah. >> But 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 union key? >> What's that? >> key. >> No, she's saying she still doesn't know where that is. So, I was going to walk that direction toward her union just see if I can see the key. But we also haven't dug through her pockets or anything like that. It's but but I mean she did shoplifting, so that's where we're at today. Is that the very least she's getting charged for shoplifting? >> I was just talking to the supervisor and make sure it's okay. He says it's okay if you want to see the video so that way you understand what we're dealing with. >> Yeah. Hey, can you can you show us that video again real quick? >> Um so, I I'm pretty sure I caught her doing it. I think I found her doing it again. >> Oh, he did find her he found her doing it another time. So can you see what I'm saying? >> the transaction of the can candy Let's put it over there. >> Oh, so she did it on >> Yes, earlier. She had the candy. This was on the 30th, the last day. >> Oh, this is the day the 30th. Okay. >> Yeah. So there's also going to be some personal items down there like dog food. >> Mhm. >> And she puts the tote of candy on top of the dog food. >> And doesn't pay for the >> I got to backtrack and make sure there's no chance that she could have paid for it, but it's like it's at the bottom of the the basket. She covers it up with a heavy tote of candy. >> So this is on the 30th, correct? >> It's on the 30th. So there's the tote without the lid. >> Okay. So she's still on the end. >> She puts it in the back. >> Yeah, pushes it to the back. >> Obviously, I need to do the full video to make sure there's no chance she's paid for it, but it's at the bottom of the basket. There's >> Yeah. And if you um it's just Walmart's perspective with this one if you you do confirm that that wasn't paid for, you guys want to move forward with that one as well then? >> Oh, with with the other two. There's another one. I this one's going to take a lot longer. >> So you found 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, like I said. 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 >> and sees all this stuff. >> Yeah, it's like four of them. >> Holy cow. >> Yeah, there's LEGO sets on LEGO sets on LEGO sets. >> I can you get an associate? Can I please have backup cashier Castle? >> And that's all inside of there. Again, I want not speak out of turn. I want to make sure that I that she didn't at any point pay for this already. >> Can I have backup cashier Castle to the front, please? >> That's pretty suspicious in our line of work. That's pretty rare to see people stacking >> And what day was this one? >> This was 827. >> Oh, okay. >> And our our logs on on the secure platform only goes so far. So that's all inside of there. Again, I want not to speak out of turn. I want to make sure that I that she did it. Any point they froze already. But that's pretty suspicious in in our line of work. That's pretty rare to see people >> What day was this one? >> This was 827. >> So, like I told you be an honest 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 with the toys, found another one with candy. So if it if it's truly those three then they want to book you in for a felony. For the value in that cuz the one with all the toys that you didn't pay for, 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 opportunity. So just be forthcoming. I We're human. We make mistakes. Did you do it or not? I mean That's why I said it 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 >> I wasn't trying to take anything today. >> Today? >> No. >> But you have in the past? >> Yes. >> Okay. That's it. I just want to ask you to be honest with me. Cuz that's the worst thing is when I see those videos and then you tell me today. You know what I mean? >> Yeah. >> 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. Yes, I just don't want to handcuff you. I'm not doing that. I would expect you to do the same to me if you dealt with me. Okay? >> Yes. >> So just hang tight. That's how I'm going to keep you posted as we go. >> Thank you for your service. Every US state requires mandatory reporting of criminal charges against sworn peace officers to the state post commission. A pattern shoplifting offense constitutes moral turpitude under most post regulations triggering license review proceedings that run independently of the criminal case. A plea deal or diversion does not automatically protect her peace officer certification. The lead officer receives a B+. He gathered evidence before engaging the subject, administered Miranda correctly, and maintained composure throughout. The deduction reflects a multi-round interview structure that produced a shifting evidentiary record and the equal protection implications of extended professional courtesy. Officer Ward receives an A-. His second interview was clean and methodical. His core contradiction, if the keys were truly urgent, a sworn officer abandons the merchandise instead of proceeding through self-checkout, was legally precise and well executed. Walmart asset protection receives an A. Miles physically followed the subject, documented the concealment method in real time, and waited for the correct legal moment to intervene. Stopping before the point of purchase weakens a theft case. Miles waited, which is what makes the arrest legally solid. Melissa receives a D. She is a sworn detective who applied professional knowledge to execute a shoplifting method across at least three visits to the same store. She presented a family death, lost keys, and a department errand as explanations. None were corroborated by physical evidence or checkout records. She made a post-Miranda admission she cannot retract while still employed as a peace officer with the duty weapon locked in her vehicle on the lot. Pattern conduct, four inconsistent accounts, and a usable admission combined to produce the grade of D. The criminal charge and the post review run on separate tracks, and neither one waits for the other. First lesson, loss prevention databases are persistent. Asset protection retrieved footage from August 27th and August 30th within minutes of today's stop. What appeared to be a single misdemeanor became a felony case before the first interview was finished. Second lesson. A Miranda waiver is not an opportunity to negotiate. Once questioning begins, every statement is evidence. There is no safe version of partial truth. The admission of prior shoplifting was made freely on camera after a proper advisement. It is now part of the record. Third lesson. Professional status does not create legal immunity. It may influence how an arrest is handled in the moment. It does not change what the statute requires, what the camera recorded, or what the post commission will do when the report arrives. The badge is not a defense. At the time of this analysis, the case outcome remains unknown. Based on the footage and applicable legal standards, probable cause for the current incident is firmly established. The two prior incidents significantly elevate potential charges. The subject's partial admission made post Miranda is admissible. Let us know if there is an interaction or legal topic you would like us to discuss in the comments below. Thank you for watching.