On August 20th, 2025, Bloomington detectives arrested a T-Mobile employee for stealing 19 smartphones and one Apple Watch from the store's safe, about $20,000 over 2 weeks. She had been there 2 months. She had safe access codes. She took two to three devices at a time, always when alone in the back. Surveillance confirmed every instance. >> Yeah, could you I mean, you're obviously familiar with it. Can you just run me through a quick brief? I had the report. Um but just so we have our ducks in a row. >> Yeah, um so throughout couple days actually she's been taking stuff um for the last couple weeks. >> Okay. >> Total of 19 phones and one Apple Watch. So, total of 20 devices. >> Okay. >> Which is crazy. >> Yeah. >> Um >> It's pretty significant. So, the total is like what, $20,000? >> Yeah. So, about $1,000 a piece. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Um takes two at a time, three at a time sometimes. And it's always when she's in the back alone. >> Okay. >> Um Pockets it. We've been able to like track it but like haven't stopped it. Last one was I think Sunday. So, this Sunday that just passed. >> Okay. So, it's like the second time. >> shift is today 9:30. I'm not sure if she'll make it on time. She tends to like come in late sometimes. >> Okay. >> Nothing yet but if she does come in late, she normally texts me like, "I'm running late." But nothing today. So, >> Okay. >> You You know what kind of car she drives? >> No, she gets dropped off though. >> In the front or the back? >> Uh in the back. >> So, he uses the back door. All right. Um have you guys like been able to figure out which serial numbers of the phones and you got everything? Okay, cuz I don't know if it was given to the officer yesterday or not but we'll probably need that. >> up um but corporate office down the street definitely have it too. >> Okay. Yeah, we'll probably end up needing that at some point today. Um >> I think it was uh her name is Anna who like handles everything. >> Okay. >> But I think >> That may have been who Is that Ashley? >> Yes. Okay. Yeah, I guess she's the one that called yesterday, so hopefully she'll get all that to us. What are your guys' intentions with her? >> I no comment on that. I'm assuming they're pressing charges, but I >> Okay. So then what we'll do when she comes in, we'll just we'll take her. We'll take her back, see if she'll interview, and then hopefully she'll give up where these phones are and we can get them back. That's you know, we're just hoping. That's a hope, you know. So I don't know if you guys are going to do something on the civil aspect of it, you guys can figure that out. But yeah, we'll take her if you guys are going to sign complaints and then >> From there we'll try and get your phones back. >> How long has she worked here? >> Uh since June. >> June. End of May, early June. >> So it's like fresh. >> And this just started this month? >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> We normally Oh, I normally do like counts every other day just to like make sure everything's correct. We sell a lot of phones. My job is like part of my job is to count phones, and I noticed it last 2 weeks Saturday. But we have a system glitch time to time where like it doesn't ring out the phone. So I played the waiting game and then I started to see there was more phones and I was like hold up. >> Yeah, this This isn't making sense. When did she get the code for the safe? >> Uh after she completed training. Everyone has a code. >> Okay. It's like an Okay. Does it say individual codes for each person or >> Same code. >> But But she has permission to go into the safe. >> Yes. Yeah. >> Yes. Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> All right. Does it lock out like that Do you have to wait 10 minutes after >> So there's a 10-minute time delay >> Okay, so that [ __ ] is legit. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I didn't know if whenever I buy a phone that's just some BS. >> Yeah, I know that. A lot of people think it is. It's literally a 10-minute safe. I'll set it now. But the left side is no timer. So this one all of our good stuff is here. Okay stuff is here. But we never normally have like one of each device. And sometimes we have like multiple devices on this side. But for the most part she's seen taking from here. Just the iPhones? Yeah. Um Samsung as well and Apple watches. >> Okay. >> But normal devices are here. >> Okay. All right. Do you know if Ash is going to be here today or not? >> She She's not. >> All right. I'll reach out to him. >> She's actually leaving out of the camera fridge. All right. So >> And these phones haven't been activated or nothing like that? >> No they no usage on them. No we tried I tried to see like if like maybe it was a system glitch but nothing. No serial number. Uh serial number is not in use. >> All right. You have flags so like if any phone was activated at some point you get an alert or something like that or >> No. We just check it like daily. Check them. Yeah. Do these safes have two different codes? >> Yes. >> Two different codes but she's got access to both of them. >> Yes. >> And she's only got access to these safes and not these safes. >> So that's cash and stuff like that? >> Yeah. That's kind of easier to take so I only have that. >> I was able to watch back some of those videos. >> See that she was able to open She was taking >> Yeah. >> from both of them. >> Yeah. What's in this one like newer phones? >> Uh no it's the exact same phones but like I'll have like multiple quantities of phones so like one iPhone here but like I have 10 of these on this side. >> Okay. >> Right now I have nothing in the safe but normally it's like a good double digit quantity. >> And you're going to have someone today? >> I'm sorry. Yes. Yes. Um two more people but one is going to be opening he's on his way. And then one closes tonight so So I have two openers. One closer. Avenue training. >> What's the typical like she walks in she like walked to somewhere to put her bag or something like that? >> we will leave the bags in the chairs, um, clock in. And essentially open the store, get like the store ready for the day. Um, move some phones over. Um, but I really like doing that in the morning when I get here. >> Mhm. >> And then, just wait to service customers, that's it. >> Okay. Do you have a good address for her? >> I can pull one up. >> Yeah, yeah. >> I saw her verify. It's in the folder here. It's her driver's license and a little bit. So, this is what the right side looks like. Um, empty on phones. We're only supposed to have like 40 phones here. >> Yeah. >> But we normally just move some over. >> Mhm. >> And then, as soon as we're done we just lock it back up. That's it. I mean the timing. They're all coming up close. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> How frequent are shipments? >> Sorry? >> How frequently you guys get shipments? >> Uh, normally every single day. >> Monday through Friday. >> Okay, so. Yeah, the more you sell, the more they replenish. There's nothing like I wish we had like a catalog that I can order phones, but it's just like whatever we sell we get replenished. >> Yeah. >> Typically two to three days. What's our lower right now? Meaning that we haven't sold anything. >> Yeah. >> I think it's worse if she lives where we think she lives cuz it's like a three-minute drive. >> Yeah. Yeah, it's very close. >> Yeah. >> But she's late. >> All the time. That's all. >> I don't know what it is. >> [ __ ] when I'm like 30 minutes early I feel like I'm late. Like >> Usually I'm like 50. >> Like three hours before a flight that leaves and stuff like that. >> Yeah. >> Hi, sweetie. >> Hi. >> Hi. I'm going to check the season out for a moment here. It's my partner Detective Johnson. >> How are you doing? >> Um, >> Hello. >> Do you kind of understand why we'd be here wanting to speak with you? >> No. >> Okay. Do you have an ID on you by any chance? >> Um no, not with me. >> You don't have anything with your name on it? >> Not today. >> Okay. Um so we've kind of been informed of what's been going on regarding the cell phones. Um but at this time we are going to have to take you into custody, okay? If you could just give me your bag. And then if you could hand my partner your phone. >> It's got it. >> Um you don't have anything on you, right? No pockets? Okay. Give her this money back. Is this your store key? I'll take this. This probably Dave. Dave, is that you? I'm going to get your phone. 6774 Tiny wrist. Is that too tight? I'm going to lock this so it doesn't tighten up on you, okay? I don't know what you got a key in there. All right, so we'd like to talk to you about it. Um we can do that at the PD. Okay. Um how long have you been working at T-Mobile? >> Um about 2 months. >> [snorts] >> 2 months? >> 2 months. >> 2 months? Okay. Did you work anywhere before that? >> Um yeah, Visionworks. >> Okay. Why do you think that we are in this situation right now? >> I just was looking to hear from you guys. >> Okay. So obviously T-Mobile has told us that some phones and some other items are missing. Do you know anything about that? >> Some phones and other items? >> Mhm. >> What other items? >> Apple watch Airpods >> Yeah, um I don't know about the phone but the watch and I don't know about the watch. >> Just tell me about the phones. >> And I don't say anything to you and you are like I don't know what's going on or what's happening. >> Yeah, I appreciate that. >> So, yeah, I do I do know about the phones that are missing. You know, yeah, it's me. >> Do you know how many phones are missing? >> Uh, no. >> No, okay. Um What was the reasoning for getting for taking those phones? >> The dumb reason is not thinking. I wasn't really thinking about >> You're just short on cash or something? Trying to pay for student loans? Cuz that's something I can understand. >> Well, I mean pretty people can understand it, but I don't Yeah, but like I don't know. It wasn't the smart thinking to do. >> Okay. Um so I'll explain it >> actions have consequences. Yes. >> No, but being forthcoming about it and obviously it's that's better for you in the long term. You know, because we can say like that. Hey, she took this because she needed the money. She's short on money. You know, she's going to school full time. She's got three more years and school's not cheap. I mean I know that cheap when we went to school. I can't imagine what it's like right now. >> Definitely can't imagine what it is for you guys to go to school than what I'm going for. >> Yeah. So, how much is your school loans? >> Um Chamberlain ain't cheap. I don't know about that. >> Huh? So, Chamberlain ain't cheap. I don't >> Chamberlain ain't cheap. Chamberlain ain't cheap. Like I think for Chamberlain, I think I have 10 left to pay down. >> That's not bad. That's not bad. >> Yeah, that's what's left. Yeah. You I've been paying them for since I started. >> Yeah. >> That's why That's why I was switching cuz I was like this is way too expensive. I can't I can't constantly pay it. >> Yeah. I get that. So, is that kind of why you did it? You just short on money? >> Okay. Um did somebody tell you to take the phones to >> Mhm. >> Did you ever talk to anybody about taking the phones? Like friends, family? >> No. >> Anybody like request you to, hey, can you slip me an iPhone? >> No. >> No, okay. What do you What did you do with those phones? >> Um, I gave them away. >> Okay. Friends, family? >> Friends. >> Okay. Do you know which friends you gave them to? >> Mhm. >> Do you know which friends you gave them to? >> Mhm. >> Would you be able to tell me who you gave them to? Not necessarily that they're going to be in trouble, but I'm being quite honest, we'll try to get those phones back, you know. >> I didn't get you. I get you. >> Okay. >> Um. >> Do you want to just write down who you gave them to? >> Um, I can give like if if I have my phone off like I can give it to you like >> You just write them down, okay. I know your phone is like almost dead, so we do that charger real quick. >> Okay. >> Um, did they give you money? So let's charge that a little bit. I don't want it to die on you, you know. >> Okay. >> Um, did you get money in return for giving them the phones? >> Um, just a bit. >> Okay. How much were you getting per per phone? >> Mhm. >> How much were you getting per phone? >> Like five. >> Like five dollars? >> Mhm. >> Okay. Do you know how many phones you sold off? >> Only two. >> Only two? Okay. What'd you do with the rest of the phones? >> I don't know. I don't think I only had three. I don't know if I was taking more than that. >> You don't think you took more than three phones? >> No. >> Okay. Uh, if I was to tell you that T-Mobile pulled inventory for the last like two three weeks, and we're missing 19 phones. >> 19? >> Yeah. >> You mean they took 19? Oh my gosh. 19 19 phones. >> I mean, I don't People like that shouldn't have a couple pictures. >> Well, I'm not denying [clears throat] you. I'm not saying you didn't take anything. >> That's your right. You just don't recall taking 19. >> I'm [music] not denying you. I'm saying I didn't do it. I'm not going to I'm not doing any of that. >> Okay. >> I'm I'm owning up to it. I want guys to know that yeah, all I was wrong. I was wrong. I did mess up and it was wrong of me to even do that. I have consequences for what I did. >> Like I said, we're we're trying to at least get the phones back for T-Mobile. But they are saying that they're missing quite a few phones since like August 9th. So, the last like 2 weeks. >> That's what I I think if you want to give my phone I can get that to you. >> Okay. >> Who I gave it to. >> Yeah. So, you think you only sold two phones? You give Okay, maybe you sold two phones. Did you give any away? >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> I can give them to like that's how it's like I can give the people that I gave them to to you. >> Okay. Directly. All right. Yeah, we'll get your phone once it charges. Like I said, it was like a very very sliver red and I don't want it to die. So, we just threw it on a charger. We'll get it back in like 10 minutes and then we'll get that back. Um They also brought up that they're missing some money. So, >> What do you mean? >> What was explained to me is that sometimes they'll be you guys will be given cash as like a deposit >> Mhm. >> whether it's for a statement or for like a phone. Um And then they have to spot some inconsistencies with what was supposed to be deposited and what was actually deposited. And those inconsistencies fell on days that you were closing. Did you happen to like swipe some cash? >> No, that's something I've never done like taking anything out of a register. No, that's like I've been in any job and never wanted to go into the register do that. The phones, yes, I I did. But the register, no, I've never done that. >> Okay. So, you never swiped any cash or like the deposit box or something like that? Okay. >> I've never done that any job ever. I wouldn't do that. Cuz I have we have to count it to make it right. So, I wouldn't I wouldn't do that. >> All right. You Have you done this in the past? >> No. >> No? >> No. >> Just only this one time to tell Okay. Um >> Never done anything like this ever in my life. Okay, so what made you do it? I was stressed. I wasn't in my right mind. So I wasn't really thinking straight. I just was like, "Okay, I'll just do this." And Yeah. Really kind of messed up. Okay, I mean people make mistakes, right? And you've never been arrested before? >> No. >> Okay. So maybe this was just a mistake. >> even seen the inside of a jail. >> Well, ours is actually except I don't think we have much to sell, so yeah. >> Except for when we hit like someone hit our car and we came in and like making a police report. But other than that, I've never seen an inside. So no, I've never >> Hopefully this will be the last time, >> Yes, please. >> Okay. Um >> I'll never do this again. >> The people you gave the phones to, are there any more phones left at your house? >> No. >> You got some in your bedroom or anything like that? >> Actually, no, I do not. >> No? >> Not at all. >> Okay. >> That's why I said I can't give you it exactly who I gave the phones to so you can go there because [clears throat] there's nothing I can give you at all. >> Okay. >> Cuz I'm in the attic to get them back so I can give them directly to you. >> Okay. >> To the people to you. >> Um and it was all with just friends and family or friends? Did you sell any on Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp? >> Um I think I gave one to like a family friend like a like not my friend but like family friend of friend like that type of friend. >> Okay. >> So yeah, that's who I sold it to. That's why I said I'll get the people directly to you and tell you who I gave them to and who I gave them to and who I sold them to so you can know. >> Okay. Yeah, I'm not trying to jam them up. >> No, I'm not I'm not I'm >> No, I said we're just trying to get the phones. >> fine. You're fine. I'm in the wrong. You're not wrong. But ask any questions. >> Okay. What's a What's a good time for me to call you? So I'm not bothering you. >> I think you really don't have to. >> Okay. Does anybody in your family like I mean does your family know about this? Your mom or your Does your dad know about this? >> No, nobody knows about >> Nobody knows about it? >> No. >> Okay. Does your boyfriend know about it? >> about? >> No, not even him. >> Okay. So, it's just kind of like a spur of the moment, hey. >> Yeah, that's why I said it's it's really on me. Nobody else would know anything about it. >> Okay. >> Cuz that was my mistake. I wouldn't really tell anyone if I made a mistake. >> Okay. All right. Um So, I'm I guess the topic of the phone, would you give us consent to go through your phone? >> Um What do you mean? >> Like would you give us consent to take your phone and get like the screenshots of Would you allow us to go through your phone for like who you >> Oh, I was going to just show you I'll show every person to you. >> Okay. Okay. Were you making money through cash or like Cash App or >> Cash. >> They just gave you cash? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> That's why I was like it's easier just for me to show you cuz there's no receipts or like >> Yeah. >> no Cash App or anything like that. >> Did you make any purchases with the money you got from that or not? >> Not really. Only a few things. >> Like what? Any like big big dollar purchases like anything over $100? >> No, not yet. >> Nothing like that so far? >> No. >> Okay. Is that cash from when you sold the phones? That's in your wallet, like $800 cash? >> Probably, yes. >> Yeah, okay. Is it all from your the phone sales? >> Mhm. >> Is it all from selling the phones? >> No. >> How much did you get in your wallet from that? >> Um >> Are there bills there? >> Something like about five is in there from from the phones. The other I just had that on my card and I took it off. I was not in it. >> Okay. You said like your debit card. What's your bank account? Who do you bank with? >> I don't really have a bank. >> Is it like a >> I Yeah, like Cash App. >> Yeah, I use PayPal. >> Cash App or PayPal? >> Mhm. Stuff like that. >> Okay. Um do you ever stay there? Do you only get mail there? >> Mhm. >> Why don't you get your mail at this address? >> Huh? >> Why don't you want to get mail at this address? >> Cuz it's my mom's address and she's nosy. I hate when she gets my mom. >> Okay. All right. Okay. That makes sense. She was about 40 years old or so. How do you think your mom would react to you being in this situation? >> I really don't even want to tell her. >> Do you think she'd be disappointed? >> Yeah, I'm disappointed. >> I see. Um >> She's going to laugh. I've never done anything like this. >> She would not let you get in trouble. She's pretty strict. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> She's definitely going to be mad. >> I don't blame her. Well, like I said, we all make mistakes. Um What do you think should happen to somebody that you got caught stealing phones? >> You know if it was me, I'd be the one that knows I'm pretty sure they'd probably want to do something to me, so. >> Is that what you mean? >> Yeah. >> Okay. What do you think about it criminally? What do you think should happen? >> Um you should have to pay all that money back and some maybe. Cuz like it's wrong, which you definitely have to pay some and extra. >> So just to kind of recap, how many phones do you think that you've taken from T-Mobile? >> I don't know. I don't know. >> Do you think it was 19? That includes your iPhones, I mean iPhones and Samsungs. >> Um it could have been. >> Is it possible that you just kind of grabbed it real quick and you ran? >> Yeah, possible. >> Were they all in the safe? >> Mm yeah. >> And then you take it to the back room. Your own phone or the safe? >> The safe. >> Were you ever told not to take phones out of the safe unless it was for >> Huh? >> Were you ever like instructed, "Hey, don't take phones out of the store for a customer"? No. Okay. How long have you been with your boyfriend? >> Um I've been together for 3 years. I don't know for >> Okay. What does he do? >> He's a real estate agent. >> Main lines? Or is it like a Like apartment complexes or like a >> I think it's more of a landlord-tenant conflict. >> Is that who that address is? >> I don't know. >> Do you want to go to his place or do you guys stay together? >> No, but I don't have any more >> You don't have any more phones? Okay. >> That's why I said I can give you >> All right. Everybody told you. >> All right. Okay. >> Did you list your boyfriend as like an emergency contact? >> No. >> Okay. All right. So, we'd like to obviously have you show us and tell us where the phones went and who we can contact to try and get those phones back. >> Right. >> Um and then obviously we're going to talk to corporate. You know, cuz I don't think they're actually the ones that brought this to our attention. So, we've asked them, you know, how they want to proceed. Um they've never been arrested before, so it's not like this is a pattern, but it's essentially a pattern because it's been multiple instances. Um and then we want to talk to the state's attorney about it. So, is there anybody you want to call? But you're probably going to be here a little bit. I'm not saying you're going to be here all day, but you're probably going to be here, you know, probably another couple hours. >> Is there anything I I'm I'm Is there anything else I have to do? I was like confused. I'm sorry. I've never been done this before. >> You're probably just going to be chilling, to be honest with you. >> Yeah. >> We're going to wait for your phone to charge up a little more and then we'll come back and we'll talk to you. We'll go through, you know, who may have the other cell phones and so on and so forth just so we can try and get those back. >> Right. >> Um hopefully they'll be willing to give that back. Um and then we'll have to talk to the state's attorney just to see how they want to kind of proceed with this, whether it's release you and we'll follow up with you another day while we gather some more information or whether they want to charge you with something. It's I don't know what the charge would be. Um I kind of have an idea, but that's going to be ultimately up to the state's attorney. So. So, you guys have any a couple questions. The >> The moment handcuffs went on, she was in custody under the Fifth Amendment. Burkemeyer versus McCarty defines custody as any situation where a reasonable person would not feel free to leave. She could not. Custody triggers Miranda. Miranda versus Arizona requires police to advise a suspect of the right to remain silent and the right to counsel before questioning. No such advisement appears in this footage. Maybe it happened off camera. But if it did not everything she said afterward, the confession the recipients, the cash is presumptively inadmissible. Not a loophole. That is exactly what the Fifth Amendment was built for. Detectives used minimization sympathy framing, normalizing the conduct emphasizing cooperation. Courts allow this. It is lawful interrogation technique. But the subject was already handcuffed when that strategy was applied. Under Colorado versus Spring voluntariness is tested against the totality of circumstances. Custody plus sustained empathy framing gives defense counsel a real argument when this goes to a suppression hearing. Then the phone. Riley versus California held that officers cannot search a cell phone incident to arrest without a warrant. Consent is the only lawful alternative and she consented while already in handcuffs. Schneckloth versus Bustamonte requires that consent be voluntary under the totality of circumstances. Custody is a significant factor in that analysis. That phone consent is legally fragile and will be challenged. On the charge Illinois 725 16 1 theft over $10,000 is a class two felony. At 20,000 the state's attorney could push for class one four to 15 years. The confession is not the only evidence. Surveillance, safe access logs inventory records and unactivated serial numbers all existed before she spoke. Suppression weakens the case. It does not collapse it. Detective Seagull receives a B plus. Pre-arrest briefing was methodical. He confirmed the evidence base, understood the safe layout, coordinated timing, and anticipated what documentation the prosecution would need. The workplace arrest was tactically sound, controlled setting, management on site, minimal variables. The interview secured a full confession without any visible coercion. That is a well-run investigation. The grade drops because the body cam captures no Miranda warning before 20 minutes of custodial questioning. One sentence on camera before the interview starts eliminates that entire suppression argument. It is not there. The subject receives a B minus. She stayed calm, did not resist, and took responsibility without being cornered. But she talked at length without invoking her right to silence or asking for a lawyer. She explained the motive, described how phones were distributed, discussed the cash in her wallet, and offered up her personal device. None of it was required. All of it can be used against her. The right to remain silent exists for exactly this kind of moment, when the pressure to explain feels like the right instinct, when cooperation feels safer than silence. It often is not. Three takeaways. First, if you are in handcuffs, stop talking and ask for an attorney. Not because you are guilty, because custody is not the moment to make legal decisions without counsel. Second, get Miranda on camera. Five seconds before the interview. It removes an entire category of suppression vulnerability from an otherwise solid case. There is no reason to leave it undocumented. Third, for phone evidence, get the warrant. Consent from someone in handcuffs is easy to challenge. A warrant takes more time up front. It does not get challenged at suppression. This case will likely move on physical evidence regardless of what happens to the confession. But fighting a suppression motion costs time and resources that a properly documented Miranda warning would have prevented entirely. The gap here was not a failure of investigation. The facts were solid. The arrest was clean. The interview was skilled. The one missing piece, 5 seconds of camera time, is what puts the confession at risk. Let us know if there is an interaction or legal topic that you would like us to discuss in the comments below. Thank you for watching. And don't forget to check out our channel for even more police interaction and courtroom content.