Do me a favor. Put your hands behind your back. You're being detained right now. Okay? You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. Having these rights in mind, do you wish to talk to us? So, the good news is because you don't have any criminal record and because we've got to do some research in order to figure out all the different victims, we're going to cut you loose for today. At a certain point, I'm going to call you and I'm going to tell you that there's a warrant and you need to turn yourself in. >> On January 30th, 2026, a bank teller at a Fifth Third Bank branch was detained after stealing [music] cash from his own teller drawer on at least four separate occasions, totaling over $10,000 once surveillance was fully reviewed. He had only held that drawer since early December, meaning every incident happened within roughly 2 months of getting access to the cash. The real issue here is not what Lincoln Lapman took, it is what he said to whom and in what order before [music] any Miranda warning was ever read. >> So, we're going to take this and I'll pass it on. >> I don't know what he looks like. >> Hello. >> I'm doing all right. How are you? Oh, this is the guy we're looking for. Not He's our POC. >> Well, she called me >> Yeah, I was just on the phone with her. So, where is he located right now? Okay, he has no idea where he is. He has no idea. >> Uh police here. You want to speak about the way? >> I sent you his location on the office right now from the back if you can let them in. >> All right. What's he wearing? >> You'll see him he's coming straight out of this hallway now. >> Okay. >> You're very welcome. >> He probably went to the bathroom. >> There's nobody here. >> Went to the bathroom? Oh, that's great. So, >> Can I ask you a question? Should I Lincoln You want to wait around the corner? I'll wait for him right here. >> Hello. >> Oh. >> Baby. >> All right. Lincoln, do me a favor. Put your hands behind your back. >> Put your hands behind your back, right? >> detained right now. Okay. >> Okay. Can I Can I just >> Interlock your fingers. >> Just just just >> Let's do this part and then we'll be able to talk, okay? >> Now, what I'm saying I'm claustrophobic. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Can I have you stand, please? >> Okay. We We So, right now you're being detained. That's That's all that's happening right now. >> Mhm. Can I get my phone out of my pocket, please? >> Not right Not right right this minute, but >> I'm just claustrophobic. That's all. >> Okay. Well, just, you know, try to breathe. >> Uh we're going to have a seat in the office right here really quick. All right. Have a seat. >> Uh >> Hey. Hey, you have to I mean, either that or we can sit in the police car, so >> All right. All right. >> We're not going to close the door. >> That was okay. >> Okay. So Obviously, we're here for a reason. Lincoln. We're going to read you something cuz we have a couple questions. I want you to get get with the manager, the regional manager, uh and he's on a landline right now with the LP person. Brief you. >> Problem 90. >> Okay. Whatever it is, you you can fill in. And we'll hang out for a second. >> Okay. I'll confirm with him because I get the officers here. I'll call him. I'll call uh >> All right. So, um I know my partner was kind of briefed already on what's going on, but can you just break down for me what what exactly happened? What's what's going on? >> Okay. I'm to take the officer in the vault so we can talk about this. We won't be out here for that. All right, hold on. >> Okay. >> Officer. >> Hi, sorry. So, uh my name is Officer Roberto with the Lincoln man came on my radar. We were notified that there was a customer discrepancy of a deposit that he didn't report in his balance sheet [music] in the amount of $265. So, I was investigating it and I saw him on surveillance um take a stack of loose cash out of his drawer and um it disappeared as he went on camera. By that point, his teller drawer had already been put away. All the other money was secured and it was just the stack of loose cash that he had. >> Okay. >> Um so, I interviewed him today based on believing there's theft in this. He confessed that this did happen last Tuesday. He stole $265. And then he said within the last month, there was three other occasions that he had stole money that he believes to be $4,000 um between those three transaction or three thefts. He didn't [clears throat] know exact dates, so I'm going to have to go back at and see what I can find on surveillance and figure all of that out. But, he also um his written statement is on the desk there. I haven't read it, but he claims that he put all of the details into his written statement. Another thing is, he just did a $2,900 cash withdrawal from his account today that he probably has possession of right now. >> Is so he of his personal account? This is from Okay. This was before he spoke to you today? >> Correct. >> Okay. >> He's only been with us since September 8th and he's only had a teller drawer according to him since the beginning of December. So, he's had a very short window to be able to steal this much money. He said that he was on hard financial times and he was paying people that had lent him money. >> He said the the approximate 4,000 was done over four separate incidents. >> The 4,000 was over three incidents according to him and then the fourth theft was last Tuesday for $265. >> And so then this all took place presumably sometime between December when he or you know, December to now. >> He says within the last month. He believes all the thefts happened in January, but he's had access to the cash for two months. >> The video that you observed was that $265 the surveillance video? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Okay. And so then you're just doing more investigation on your end to find out what or I guess if we have video of these other incidents or >> Absolutely. >> Okay. Okay. >> I was unaware of them before he confessed to it in the interview. >> Okay. So, the >> [laughter] >> I guess the interviews or the conversations you had with him were over the phone or on Zoom or >> They were on Teams video. They were not recorded. Excellent. Thank you so much. Let me know if you need anything. >> Okay. Thank >> What are you guys going to do with him? >> Um well, right now we're just going to go in and and ask him some of our own questions and >> I'd say the bank thinks he's saying things. So, you know, >> We all agree. >> I would imagine that like probably not going to be employed here shortly. I just think people make mistakes sometimes. >> Trust me, sir. >> You know what I mean? >> I have my notes. I I have never been rich. >> How are you involved? >> I was just in a bind. I just uh I guess what seems to be a big opportunity. >> I'm not sure what you mean by not involved. >> Honestly. >> I'm not involved. >> I have never touched the money in the world and it been he's just an over rich that I got. And that's what I took. That's it. I'm very very very ashamed. I have never been good for all of these. I lost my job last year January 18th. Now, it seems that I'm going to lose my job this year. January 3rd again. So, the bind I was in because of that lost a job. Now, what I did puts me in a little bit a greater and a deeper bind. >> Yeah, put you in a little bit of trouble, man. >> Trouble in what sense? >> Uh I mean I guess a little bit of legal trouble. You know what I mean? So, let me just read you this. >> I I I'm aware. >> You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. >> [clears throat] >> Having these rights in mind, do you wish to talk to us? >> At the midpoint of this encounter, Latman had already been handcuffed, told he was not free to leave, and had voluntarily described the theft, expressed regret, and confirmed prior incidents. Miranda still had not been read. The Supreme Court in Berkemer versus McCarty established that custody for Miranda purposes is determined by whether a reasonable person in those circumstances would feel free to leave. Latman was in handcuffs and told explicitly he was not going anywhere. That is custody, and custody triggers Miranda, regardless of how calm the tone is. While courts do distinguish between spontaneous statements and structured interrogation, the defense will argue the rapport-building conversation was designed to lower his guard before rights were read. Whether those pre-Miranda statements survive a suppression hearing is the first question this case turns on. >> Of course. >> You know, I appreciate you being honest about like the overages and >> Yes, sir. >> I mean, all that you've been taking and all that, so. Absolutely. >> Oh, yeah. >> All this >> 51. >> 51. >> What was that last call? >> Do you have a weapon? >> All right, call the fire department. There's going to be 300 kids in this room. >> Do you have a weapon? >> Yes, sir. Yes, sir. >> Yeah, I'm saying here. >> Like on you? >> No. >> I just two years ago. >> Did you write that statement? >> statement. >> Sorry. >> Yeah, you're you're detained. You are not free to leave. I can tell you that much right now. No, lean lean forward cuz I got to take it off. I'm going to take your watch off cuz that's probably messing you up, too. So, with everything in the bank, all transactions, like you know there's cameras on you and there's cameras on the people coming in, right? You know, because when you handle money, you don't care for any little ones or How long have you been working here? >> Since I was I have family members that are law enforcement, so I know. >> Where do they Where do they work? >> I work in Oakland. Um, he live in East Orange in South Mountain County. >> Where are you from, man? >> Jamaica. >> Where in Jamaica? >> Kingston. >> Oh, I love Jamaica. >> I came here like years ago. My whole family came. >> You're born in Jamaica? And just for, unfortunately, you know how the times go. I do have to ask like what's your nationality? Are you a US citizen? Okay. that kind of police, but they still ask us, so. It's okay, man. We all make mistakes. No, and in sports. >> Like you said, it doesn't make it right. >> It doesn't. Exactly. I mean you're probably a cricket guy, right? >> Football. >> You like football? >> Soccer. >> Yeah, football. >> I like football. >> I like football, soccer. >> Uh think of it like it's just like a foul. >> Yes, but >> You know, this is a red card. Okay, this isn't this isn't a yellow card. This is a red card, man. >> Foul can be that. >> You see what I did there? You're definitely getting ejected from the bank, okay? >> Okay, what happens after that? You get kicked out of the bank, okay, what happens after that? >> That's what our partner's going to come >> That's what our partner's going to come here and talk to you about. >> If I can go home >> Maybe, yeah. See, there's a firearm in your vehicle? >> Yes, there is. A legal firearm, but it's >> A legal firearm. Actually, I'm going to take these keys off of you right now, too, so >> How you treating me now like >> Well, I just don't want you to be uncomfortable, man. You got some fitted pants. >> I have a Glock 48. >> I don't think Listen, the second amendment is the second amendment. This has nothing to do with the firearm. >> you what you will find. >> Yeah, Glock 48? >> Glock 48 is what I carry for my personal care, okay? >> Okay. Excellent choice. Okay. >> My truck is under my driver seat on the right side of it. I have nothing else and I have a knife to the right the right side of my driver seat. No contraband, no illegal alcohol, no nothing. >> I got you. >> Can you do me a favor? Is it okay for you to scratch my nose, please? >> Scratch your nose? I can scratch your nose, man. I got you. Now, I'm going to wear gloves for it because you know, I don't want >> That's a nice office right there. >> Not inside. >> Yeah. >> Not inside of it. >> I'll scratch your nose. >> Oh, definitely not on the outside. >> Outside here? >> Sure. Above my above my above my lip above my lip. >> Above your lip? >> Mhm. Thank you. >> All right, I got you. I don't want to know. >> Can I stand, please? >> No, you have to stay seated. >> Just a hurt. >> Okay, well, why don't you tell me? >> Who was that? >> The detail unit. Okay, I just want to say I appreciate you not being a jerk off like this person you heard on the radio screaming that's fighting one of our partners right now. So, courtesy goes a long way, man. >> I was just about to say. >> Right. >> Treat people the way you want to be treated. >> That's it, right? I agree. >> You got by police and the police say, "Why are your windows down?" I know my rights. I know my this. I'm like, "Sometimes that's really uncalled for." >> I would say most of the times uncalled for. But, you know, I will say every now and then I If you actually know your rights, like that is like amazing, you know. Lincoln here. Um has actually been very open and honest with us about what's been going on. Okay. But, I think Roberto filled you in a little bit. >> Well, yeah, but we're going to figure that out. >> Please, Mr. Roberto, please. >> It's Yeah, I mean, it's not really up to me. >> Please. You get to Dr. Joe and tell him what I don't know how how it is it's going to go. How how it is it's going to go. They see me on the car last night on my past I say, "Okay, we're going to uh money transfer is on the table with you guys." Do that. >> That's how old you'll be? 34? >> He's in Jamaica. Born and raised. >> Yeah, whatever. This one. Wife be upset regardless. Oh, today? >> Yeah. >> Oh, jeez. >> But, not till a little bit later. >> Well, I can take you out and knock it out. I don't care. I mean Yeah, I think it's going to going to 15. >> Oh. >> Yeah. >> [laughter] >> Got you. >> know. I'll be sleeping right here. >> Got you. >> No. >> Cuz there's there's co-victims in this case. >> I'm trying to blame the system. >> Like you know, we completely understand that sentiment. >> I can't get my passport. What what I'm not >> I'm I'm not going to do that. But we're not Iceman. >> No. No, no, no. I got to man. I got to. What happened after the arrest? You know, to my life, my child, my mother. >> Oh. >> I can tell you I can tell you this much. That it is not the end of the world. >> What do you mean? >> Like I'm telling you that it's not the end of the world. >> What do you mean exactly? >> If you're being arrested if you're being arrested. >> How is that not the end of the world? >> It's not good. >> I have plans with my wife to be a complete with my wife [clears throat] tonight and relax. >> You might actually be out tonight or tomorrow. >> Yeah, but I don't want to be arrested. >> I got it, but >> does. >> Nobody like between you and the bank, I'm pretty sure that relationship is done. Once you lose that, it's done. Like I'm not saying like you can't get a job after this, but it's not going to be in banking. You know what I'm saying? Like it's just not going to be in this. Someone needs to work on their stars. Who said you drew the stars? >> Yeah. >> I'm trying I see the progression. It's good. >> I think it's good. >> That's not true. It's all about perspectives, man. Like this this could be the moment in your life where you reinvent yourself as a human being for the better. >> Ooh, I'm not a bad human being, but I don't think I need to >> I don't think you're a bad human being. >> What I need You know what I need? >> What do you need? >> This dress. I mean, to look at this day. See, there goes your lesson. >> Yeah, it's definitely a consequential day. All right, so the good news is because you don't have any criminal record and because we've got to do some research in order to figure out all the different victims, we're going to cut you loose for today. At a certain point, I'm going to call you and I'm going to tell you that there's a warrant and you need to turn yourself in. We're going to take the cuffs off of you. If you wouldn't mind taking the cuffs off. Can you just lean forward? >> Can I stand up now? >> Lean forward. I'll take them off first and then >> Now, I would encourage you bad news does not does not uh sit well. So, when you go home, you need to have that conversation with your wife. >> I I plan on I I I will not be in front of my boys. >> Let's use a different word choice. >> Yeah, don't use bullet. >> Don't use bullet. We're not jumping in front of any bullets, we're jumping in front of our mistakes. >> Right. Hey, this is this something that that you can't recover from? No. >> I can't. >> You're You're You're a father and you're a husband. >> I am and I'm a leader. >> And I would say, you know, your cooperation going to be part of that, be honest, right? I would say continue to be cooperative throughout the remainder of your cooperation overall, you know. You You're not a bad guy. Everybody makes mistakes today and that's why we didn't want to walk out and embarrass you. So, that's why it's really good officer because you advocated for you to you know, transfer but I wouldn't advise you to get transferred because, you know, it's selfish to talk to somebody that you have a close friendship with and say something to you but you know, um but I wouldn't advise you to go and do anything like that. We wouldn't advise you to say it in front of you to do so. >> What about my accounts? Will they be closed? >> I don't know. I don't think they would be. >> Um so, I I think probably so. You need to think about doing that. >> But what about withdrawing and all that? >> Your accounts are all good from a bank side bank perspective as a customer. We haven't decided to do anything with that. As far as an employee, the bank has decided [clears throat] to separate your employment and the bank. Yeah, and then you know when I have heard you about your personal relationship I know you have personal relationships with some of the folks here. So how do you handle those maybe Okay. No, I can't say anything about what happened today. Okay. No, that's not but my job is not to really explain what happens on this side here. That's you know that's up to you. You have your friends now whatever that's that's on you. And he comes to me and he will tell you you are no longer with the bank. That's as much information I can share. I just wanted to talk to you and wish you the best man and sorry to say. Give me your badge. Give me your badge. >> What about my other my other things? >> For now. I hope. Keep them. Throw them away. Keep them. It's a good deal. >> Or you can frame it. Say my business. >> All right, sir. We wish you the best. >> My partner is going to fill out a form with you. You see you are trespassing here today, but I'm letting you know that you cannot never come back to this branch. >> What you got sir? >> How much >> 220 I can't scratch your balls. Come on. I already scratched your nose. Yeah, I appreciate it. It is very walk of shameish. Yes. >> It's a short walk of shame though. >> Yeah, this is the shortest walk of shame. And it's not in handcuffs. So >> And gentlemen, do you remember my firearm is under my driver seat. >> Under your driver seat, yep. It's your second amendment right. >> To be ushered out. I just want to make sure that's >> I understand. Which one is you? >> Front. >> The gray one? >> Yes, number you have is correct. >> Yes, I have the correct number. >> What is it? >> Do you have Look at the sheet that you have right there. >> What is it? >> Let me just make sure that my partner transcribed it correctly. So It's okay. We'll come to Tamarack and pick you up, man. Believe it or not, we play the long game in in law enforcement. Some They said A lot of you this Saturday. I can neither confirm nor deny. >> [laughter] >> You're lucky I'm actually returning these Samoas to you. Yeah. Those Samoas are also my favorite. We can't take them. Yeah, your kid'll like All right, man. All right. Maybe start with that with the wife. Give her a cookie. Give her a cookie first. Yeah. Good luck. All right, well I was going to say the same thing. I was like, well, it's tinted illegal and I can't see anything in the car, so I'm going to find a position of cover. We would have called somebody and had him 10-50. Half a block away. Now we're off. >> Hello, Mr. Letman. Thank you for coming. I'm sure your lawyer contacted you. He explained to you what's going to be the process. But All right, so go ahead, do me a favor, just put your hands behind your back. Thank you. >> What's that? >> It's a gift. >> Again? >> If you can put your hands together like you're praying, like turn your Yeah, that makes it easier. >> Thank you for coming in, man. I was impressed, man. Take my word. Yeah, yeah. It's good. >> It's a mistake, nothing else. >> Mhm. That's good. They'll give you a bond. Oh, this is your first time? >> I've never had a running with the law, officer. >> How old are you? >> 34. >> All right. Hopefully last time? >> No, I'm not getting my hopes in it. >> Yeah. >> [laughter] >> No hope. >> Before police arrived, the bank's internal investigator had already interviewed Latman over Microsoft Teams, unrecorded, and obtained a written confession. The Supreme Court in Missouri versus Seibert held that a deliberate question-first, warn-later sequence can invalidate the post-warning confession entirely. The wrinkle is that it was a private employer, not police, who questioned him first. Courts have consistently held that Miranda does not apply to private employer interrogations because Miranda only restricts government actors. Still, the defense can argue the bank and police were coordinating closely enough to blur that line. The written confession Latman signed for the bank exists as documentary evidence independent of any Miranda analysis. And that is a significant hurdle for the defense. On the Fourth Amendment side, the initial detention falls within Terry versus Ohio, which permits a brief investigative stop on reasonable, articulable suspicion alone, not full probable cause. Officers had surveillance footage, a written statement, and a verbal confession already in hand. The closer question is whether handcuffing a cooperative, non-resisting suspect in a low-risk indoor setting converted this into a de facto arrest requiring probable cause. Latman also voluntarily disclosed a Glock 48 and a knife in his vehicle. Officers took his keys but conducted no search, no warrant, no valid exception, legally correct. Voluntary disclosure of legal property does not authorize a warrantless search. The lead officer read Miranda before any police initiated questioning and executed the formal arrest cleanly. The gap is the pre-Miranda window. A cleaner approach would have been to read rights the moment Lapman was told he was not free to leave before any discussion of the theft began. For Lincoln Lapman, speaking to the bank investigator without counsel, then again to police before Miranda and again after, stacked three layers of damaging disclosure. That said, his cooperation almost certainly drove the deferred arrest decision. And courts routinely weigh cooperation at sentencing. For the loss prevention investigator, the investigation was thorough and the briefing to police was comprehensive. The critical gap is the unrecorded interview, a direct evidentiary vulnerability that defense counsel will target first. Lesson one, if a private employer calls you in for questioning, you have no Miranda protection in that room. >> [clears throat] >> Employers are not government actors and no one is required to tell you that you have the right to decline to speak or to have an attorney present. Lesson two, cooperation and legal strategy are not the same thing. Saying nothing is not lying. Invoking the right to remain silent is constitutionally protected and it does not make you guilty. It just means the prosecution has to build their case without your help. Lesson three, a deferred arrest is not a favor. It is a timeline. Use that window to retain an attorney, not to wait and hope the situation resolves itself. The outcome of this case may depend entirely on what happens in that gap. Let us know if there is an interaction or legal topic you would like us to break down in the comments below. Thank you for watching.