July 10th, 2024, Florida. An auto parts store employee is arrested following a monthslong internal theft investigation. Three legal questions run through this footage. Miranda compliance, private employer evidence, and the exact dollar threshold that separates misdemeanor from felony. Hey guys, >> we got a report saying so we did interview statements. >> Okay. They just hold them back. She'll be back in time. >> Okay. So, this is all just like your own. >> Yes, sir. Yeah. These are the items that he confirmed. >> Mhm. >> Um that he actually came out and voluntarily scammed confirming that that's what he took. >> He's much back. He should be making that number. >> $100 times four times four. >> Yeah. >> What was the 96? >> And these are the questions you asked him. >> Yes, sir. That's actually the last page. Oh, doublesided. Turn the whole way. >> Yeah, it's just standard question. >> Are you willing to give your own statement? >> So, can I get your like video evidence of him coming into um Can you give me the teleport please? >> Show reporting as he has the highest voids in the store back just to come back. So I don't know how far he was. >> Oh yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. We'll take care of that. All right. No, he was taking your name. >> Yeah. When you when you're done with whatever you sign here, they're saying that you everything right down here is true. Oh, the interview. Yeah, the interview scanner. Scanners, please. Item history reports. Okay. Yes. Can you please show me in your words? Did you sign and date them? History records confirming these are items you've taken from the store 38 without paying totally,000 bucks. You want to take that back when they have >> you the manager. >> You guys know where your manager at? Which one you need? >> The uh Is he wearing a red shirt? Gray shirt. >> Red shirt. >> Red shirt. >> So you take you take I'm recording. He's avoids bringing us up and he has usually always has need in but when you're super high in the store that's when I start digging >> and that's when I started finding the stuff he was taking up was missing >> so yeah >> well he takes off so it's not accounted for like like a sale and then like buy some and he just gave her rent up so it wouldn't look like he didn't so he didn't give her no that was his first time >> and so you guys know what car the kid drives >> the blue one >> the one that just blew up >> that blue one >> the one yeah the one that just blew up >> all right I'm sure uh you see where the other officer went back that where the back is here. >> Hey, what up, man? Hey, we're going to back. Hey, you guys know where that back room is? You guys don't have like a break room or anything. If I had you down here, >> what' you say? >> All right. Do you mind if I just take this off here? I'm just going to hold on to this. All right. I had a little bit. No problem, man. You just sit down in the chair. Am I being taken today? >> First, we're trying to get this. We're just trying to get this all down. All right. We're trying to get everyone's story straight and everything. We're investigating right now. >> Yeah. I completely I made everything to >> I'm going to read you something real quick. All right. >> Mhm. >> So, you have the right to remain silent. >> That's right. >> Anything you can Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to talk to a lawyer and have uh that lawyer present during questioning if you wish. If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, one will be appointed to request you or represent you in the county expense before any questioning if you wish. If you give up your right to remain silent and later wish to stop answering questions, no further questions will be asked. Do you understand each of these rights that I have explained to you? >> Yes. >> Having these rights in mind, do you wish to talk to me now? Yes. >> So just to start off with the temporary USA 48 time. >> All right. So my name is officer girlfriend PD Coral with the girlfriend. >> The time is >> 307 and the case number is >> 1507 hours. 1507 hours. The case number is going to be G1 G2407 14 28. Do you have a car with it? Yes, sir. >> You went to South Lake? >> Yes, sir. >> Yeah, I think I went to graduate with you. I have Do you have a card? We'll grab We'll get you a card later. Okay. Okay. Thank you. >> All right. So, and just with your own words, explain to me like what happened. >> Um, well, so I it was oil was the big thing. >> Mhm. >> I was taking just to help pay my bills, just get by for now cuz moved into a new house in December. >> Mhm. >> Ever since you've been there, I haven't paid my half a bills. So, I was doing oil changes just to get some extra money on the side to help pay for my mom just to pay my side. >> Um, I stopped doing that. I want to say about two three months ago. I I same thing I told him probably about two three months ago. The last thing I took was about a month ago. I told him I was like I can show you the >> So what are what are the things you took like certain things? >> It was big thing was oil. >> The last thing was alternator. That was probably about a month ago, two months ago. >> How do you know how much the alternator normally costs or >> he's got the price sheet for everything? I don't know if it's in there or if he has it still. Mhm. The alternator was just over 300 or maybe close to four. >> Mhm. >> I'm not 100% sure on that. >> But that was again just for bills. >> Okay. >> Um but the ultimate was not that was for medication that I'm on. I don't have right now cuz I'm don't have insurance. >> You don't have insurance? >> No. So I have epilepsy and one of the medicines I have I had to take. It's gone. With that I have really bad withdrawals. Mhm. >> So the alternate was to pay for medication for this month and next month. Um other than that the oil was all just for bills. It was 20. >> How do you know how much like how many things of oil did you take, dude? >> Um he has a sheets. It was six. >> Six. >> Six I believe. Maybe. >> Were they the like the big ones like those cases? >> Yeah, it was the five gallon or the single gallon five ones. >> Oh, okay. But yeah, they're they're between 30 40 bucks each, which I told that to that was the all just for bills. >> Mhm. >> So I I open them and tell that to him. >> You're bad guys. My first time meeting, you know, you said you went to school with him and um >> this is my first one with >> your first cops. Yeah. >> Yeah. That's a good thing, right? >> Yeah. I I'm better none than >> I've had speeding takes this the first. >> So again, I don't think you're a bad guy. We got called here. That's why we're here. >> I kind of expected it. >> Yeah. And we want to get your side, right? >> So we appreciate your honesty. I do want to say that. Okay. >> Um and he read your rights. >> Okay. And and you understand why we're here. Okay. So I understand that we all go through financial issues. You know, there's a lot of stress. I understand there's things we have to pay for. Again, I don't think you're a bad guy. I just want to reiterate that. Um, and we do appreciate you cooperating. So, I'm just I want to ask you, how did you take them? So, you said oil. >> Yeah. Through that door, just like this door. >> Okay. >> It was So, nights when I would close, I would take maybe a quart or a gallon, two gallons at a time. >> Put them in a bag like what did you >> not just walk and stare through the dumpster like I was throwing garbage out. >> Okay. And then whenever it was time to clock out, leave for the day. >> Did you sell the oil? >> I as oil changes. I didn't sell them to people. I sold them as oil chang. So I would >> Oh, so you were doing oil changes? >> Yeah, I was oil chang. >> How did you advertise? Like on >> just oil changes to friends cuz I'm in I'm in a car group. So I was offering oil changes to them. >> Oh, I see. Okay. >> 30 bucks each. That was it. I got >> which is less than the oil cost. >> Okay. >> So I was offering 30 bucks to do oil change. But it was I would I would close once a week and I was for about I want to say about a month maybe month and a half. >> Did you ever avoid any transactions? >> That's what he was he was mentioning me cuz so whenever I go to check out I would push the X >> but that's never sold to them or given to them. So when he mentioned that I was confused by that and what he meant but I never asked for a further explanation. >> Can I see this? >> Oh no. >> My ID is in there if you want it. >> All right. Which one? >> Um, this one. Oh, it's in the color. I should be in that one though. It's like a little wallet black thing. Uh, this one. That's my girlfriend's. >> Yes. In that little thing. >> Did you ever tell your family any parts without charging? >> No. That was So, he asked me the same thing. The first thing I did was back in October. I think was for the month. That was the first thing I ever did without charging somebody. That was to my mom because >> So you did >> one? Yeah, one time. But that was within the first month, I think, of me being hired here. >> All right. So, did you sign and date the item history reports confirming these are items that you've taken from the store without paying totaling $986? >> Yeah. So, I he had me go through scan the things that I had taken >> and print them out. So on those it's signed and date. >> Okay. So the total was 986. >> Yeah. He had them all up. >> Does that sound about right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So this How long was this going on for? >> So the first thing was October. I didn't do it again until I want to say about January, February. >> That's a lot of oil. >> Oh no, not all that whole time. >> It was different parts. >> Yeah. So the first time was the coral packs. That was the 300 something old one. That was that was in October. Nothing nothing until about January. And then January to want to say March, April, I was I would take oil, but it was not like every single week. It would be like every other week. It was perked. >> Is there anything you could return to the store? Like anything still in packaging or is it all gone? >> No, I I told him I I would pay it back. Just at the time I I it was I needed the money. >> Let me see. Do you got the statement or you still working on >> He's still working on you get I'm going to have to run this in >> just check on it real quick. Um, they go check on us, see what I'm about. Let us know that that you're uh you're remorseful. And like I said, you're not a bad guy. I don't think you're a bad guy. >> Yeah. I I have no back experience with cops. I mean, I've tried tickets, but I've never been in legal any kind of legal trouble. >> Mhm. >> Or nothing. >> Okay. So, the there were coils that were taken. There were coils that were taken. And uh where were they taken? Were they to do the back door also? >> No. So that was that was the first thing I was talking about. >> Those were order unpaid ordered the WDP which is out vendor and then when they came in those were for my mom that she she has no clue by any. >> So when she came in to get the parts at that time I gave those to her without paying for them but she she did not know. >> Okay. >> That there was four of them. I think I put times 4 next to them and circled it. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. They would came out to I think he said 409 what it came out to just Yeah. So I believe Yeah. the coils were 9.99 each. >> Yeah. And times four. >> Yeah. There was four of them. >> Mhm. We were pretty How long you been working here? >> Going on 10 months or going on 9 months? >> All right. And when was the first time you took something? >> It was October. >> Is that when >> like took something or like gave it? The first time >> when did you take took took or gave? >> Yeah, >> it was October. >> And you started and when you started what? >> October was the first time I had nothing until about January is when I started. Then I stopped. started working there in January >> working here. >> Yeah. >> Um I think it was September. >> So September you started working here and then by October the first month. >> Yeah. It was within the first month or just after the first month of being here. >> Mhm. >> But I think it was September when I started. >> Where'd you work at before? >> I was at the same line before here. >> Where? >> Sand line down Mar Hammock. >> Yeah. Close. It was um it's Buttree. It's down Marsh Hammock. Okay. >> Yeah. I worked there for five 6 months. Dang, you're 20 years old. >> Yeah. >> Dang, bro. I feel old now. Is this one year older than you, but still? >> Okay. So, basically what I did was they made it very easy for you >> cuz they already asked uh the questions that I should Yeah. Should I just read off that? >> So, yeah, he kind of went >> So, this right here, he gave this to you and that's why I grabbed it cuz it's like this is pretty much like what you're interviewing. You're pretty much asking the same questions essentially. Um, is there anything else you want to add? >> What What's going to happen? >> Well, like I said, I'm going to be honest with you, cuz I don't like to You like to be honest with me. I want to be honest with you. >> Cuz I'm on I'm on medication, so I can't really go. I mean, what if I have a choice? Not I really can't go without it. >> Where's your medication? >> Epilepsy. I have seizures. >> Where's your Where's your medication? >> Where's home? >> Um, it's in Manila. >> We'll allow you to call mom. So, here's what I'm going to be honest with you cuz I I want I want you to be honest with me, right? I'm going to have you go ahead and stand up and right now you're being so I'm not smoke. Um, you're going to jail, okay? They do want to prosecute you. And the amount the threshold for grand theft is 750. Okay. So because the total is more than that, that's why we're here. Um again, you're as far as what goes from here, you're going to go to jail. You're going to it's going to leave today county jail. Okay? And then you'll see a judge at first appearance tomorrow. >> That's if tomorrow if you don't bond the >> I don't know what the bond is right now. I know they changed the bond schedule. Um, but I'll let you know as soon as the kid. >> Yeah. >> You mind if I pull this out? >> Yeah, go ahead. >> I have food. Am I able to eat that before going? Like >> No, I I got the case and I come back. >> I'm sorry, buddy. No, I mean I I would we just don't we uh we're kind of on a time conraint so you can put your leg away from me >> right now. What happened? You call >> just explain to her what happened. I'll let you talk to her. I won't freak her out. >> Yeah. You take >> him to jail. >> Why? >> What? >> Over 700 for stuff. That's so I'm being right now. What is you have my number memorized? >> Yeah, they said I'm going down there. If I can make bond, I should be able to get out today. If not, that's supposed to spawn. >> But anyway, >> what's the bond amount? >> He He said he doesn't know cuz Yeah, we'll let you know. >> But I I need my meds. So, how do I find out if you're a bond? >> We'll let you know shortly. I just don't have it in front of me cuz they did change the bond. So, I'll find that out. Um, are you at work right now? >> This one's good, too. >> We're not too tired, right? >> We're going to take him to the station real quick. Uh, so you're not touch. So, I don't know if you're able to just I don't know if you're able to leave work early, go home, and grab his meds real quick. >> Okay. Um, what do I do? Do I just take it up to the front office at the police station? >> At the Grove Police Department, you can. Or if or if it's too late, if you want to call him back or call the police department, see if we're still there. Um, or you know what? I can have him call you to see where you're at when we're pretty much ready to go. Okay. >> I'll just leave now and I'll go grab it. >> All right. Thank you. >> When did you graduate? I graduated in 2021. I think I think you're one year after me. I'm 22. I want to see if we can use one of these drawers. So not to compare to anything pull this one down. Um I was going to show this one right here so we don't embarrass. Hey. Uh, all about the door passenger door on the I got the other search the top one I Private employer investigations carry no Miranda obligation. The Fifth Amendment binds government agents, not a store's loss prevention team. Whatever an employee signs during that internal review is admissible the moment it reaches police. The employer generates signed records, item confirmations, and documented dollar totals before any officer steps in. Those records reach police as independently admissible evidence created entirely outside the reach of the fifth amendment. Burkimer versus McCarti holds that Miranda custody requires a formal arrest or a restraint on freedom equivalent to arrest. Walking back into your own workplace and meeting officers in a breakroom does not reach that threshold, at least not on contact. Officer Ballard administered all four Miranda adisements before asking a single substantive question, eliminating the custody timing argument entirely. Whatever moment custody attached, the warning came first and there is no suppression window. Colorado versus Connelly establishes that a Miranda waiver must be knowing, voluntary, and intelligent, not formal in any particular way. The subject acknowledged understanding, said yes to speaking, and produced a waiver that is explicit on camera and legally unassailable. Schneckloth versus Booamonte holds that consent to a search is valid when voluntarily given no requirement to advise the person of the right to refuse. The officer asked rather than commanded, the subject agreed without hesitation, and the consent is on the record. The pat down preceded the Miranda warning, not unconstitutional since a patown is not interrogation. But conducting a physical search before rights adisement in an investigative detention is a practice choice, not a constitutional requirement. A confession obtained through an implied promise of leniency can be challenged as involuntary under the Connelly standard, and the officer made no such promise. He stated directly that the subject was going to jail, which is precisely the kind of transparency that preserved admissibility. The prosecution holds two independently admissible evidence streams. Signed employer records generated before police arrived and an on camera confession following explicit Miranda waiver. Either stream alone is sufficient to carry the charge. Florida statute section 82.014 sets the felony threshold at $750 and the confirmed total here is 986. 236 above the line. A gap that determines everything about this charge. The statute requires three things. The subject knowingly obtained property belonging to another with intent to deprive the owner and the value was 750 or more. All three are established by signed employer records and by the subject's own words on camera. Value is the only element realistically open to challenge. A defense attorney could contest individual item valuations and attempt to bring the aggregate below 750. That argument is foreclosed by an on camera confirmation that the $986 total is accurate. Grand Theft third degree carries a maximum of 5 years in state prison, 5 years of probation, and a $5,000 fine under Florida statute section 775.082. A felony conviction also strips federal firearm rights permanently and creates a lifelong public record. Active prison time is not the realistic outcome for a first-time offender at this value level with full cooperation and documented remorse. Florida statute section 948.08 08 authorizes pre-trial diversion for exactly this kind of defendant profile. Completion of pre-trial diversion results in case dismissal, no conviction, no permanent felony record, whether the state attorney offers it turns on circuit policy and prosecutorial discretion, neither of which this footage resolves. Officer Ballard receives an A minus. Miranda was read before any substantive question. The pat down was obtained through consent and the interview produced a constitutionally clean confession with no coercive element and no false promise anywhere in the footage. The officer arranged medication access before transport and sought a discreet exit to avoid a public walk out in handcuffs. Neither step was legally required. Both reflect professional judgment that goes beyond minimum compliance. The subject receives a C+ full cooperation, specific remorse, and an unprompted restitution offer are genuine credits. The grade reflects the legal consequences of his decisions in that room. Not the character of those decisions revealed. At no point did he request an attorney. Not during the employer's investigation. Not when Miranda was read, and the 30-minute account he gave covered every item, every method, and every dollar. An attorney present before that interview might have negotiated pre-arrest diversion. No felony booking at all. Private employer investigations create admissible evidence without any constitutional constraint. An employee who cooperates with internal loss prevention answers questions, signs records, confirms figures, hands the prosecution a documented case before police ever arrive. Invoking the right to counsel stops police questioning immediately and cannot be used against the speaker at trial. It is not an admission of guilt. It is time time to assess the charge, understand the options, and negotiate before the leverage disappears. Statutory thresholds are exact. $749 is a misdemeanor. $750 is a felony. That $1 difference changes the charge classification, the sentencing exposure, and what follows a person on their record for the rest of their life. The best outcome in a case like this, diversion, no conviction, no permanent record required action before police arrived. Once signed evidence reached officers, the leverage was already gone. Let us know if there is an interaction or legal topic you would like us to discuss in the comments below.