Depot loss prevention officer recognized a familiar face. A suspect previously caught stealing using a clever mirror box technique. Knowing this wasn't their first time, he quickly contacted the West Palm Beach Police Department. Officers responded fast. And what started as routine surveillance turned into something much bigger. >> I watched you. We got it on camera. All right? You cover it? >> Uh 100% 100% Where do I go? >> Back to this office. >> All right. >> Home Depot one less one. Can you open up a 65 code four? >> Uh at least you know one thing. I'm definitely not going to be running my size. You know what I mean? >> Yeah. You never know. >> Have you seen somebody my size, dude? >> Yeah. >> Oh, got you. >> Yeah. >> That's on America's Funniest Home Videos. Oh, do you want me to go with you? >> Yep. >> Oh, I thought you said stay right here. >> No, just that. Yeah, that's what I was going to say right there. >> Okay. That's crazy. I thought it was going to be under the cops of America's Funniest Home Videos. That's what you know what I mean? >> I don't know. There There's some big people that won. >> Are they fast though? >> Yeah, some are. >> Dude, I'll give >> Excuse me. >> Really? >> Very very deceiving. >> Holy [ __ ] >> You wouldn't miss him in that chair. >> This one's for you. >> You have your ID on you? >> I It's an old one. >> And it has a photo and your name and everything? >> Yeah, it has my name on it, yeah, right here. >> Okay. When was the last time you got arrested? >> Uh a month and a half ago. >> For what? >> Um it was nothing related to this. It was uh driving with um license suspended. >> Okay. That's why you have an old one. >> Forget >> Cuz you're not supposed to be driving, yeah. That's it. >> No, you know what all it is is because of I didn't pay a fine. >> Yeah. >> That's it. >> So, they suspended your license for for any of that? >> well, I found out from being pulled over that it was cuz of that. >> What's your current address? >> Uh You want me to wait or should I do the tour now? >> You can do that. >> Thank you very much. Is this going to be like trespass? >> Uh, I don't know the price. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Okay. I understand. >> All right. >> I don't think it's Home Depot 1 going to 3. I don't think it's that um 2013. Yep. >> I'm sorry. >> Home Depot 1 last time. What's up? Hm? >> Oh, I thought someone else. >> Oh, no, it's just me right now. >> It's a real shock that people actually give you guys a hard time with that. That's like mind-blowing, seriously. >> Yeah, people run all the time. For like even like a tape measure, they steal a tape measure and they want to run through the parking lot and run. >> I don't know. Maybe it's just Listen, we're all human. People make mistakes. But I mean to run to me is like I don't know. >> How many times have you been arrested for retail theft before? >> I think twice. >> Okay. How many times were you convicted of them? >> Uh, I don't think any. >> Okay. >> Cuz I >> Was it Was it at Home Depot's or was it at other stores? One was at a Home Depot. But the Home Depot one got thrown out because long story short my boss he needed a expansion tank and a garage door opener for you know gate opener and he needed it two sets of the water tanks and he needed two of the garage gate openers with four arms. In my truck I can't get all of those in one shot. Okay, so I was going the night before purchasing it leaving his credit card on his table. He was calling it in. You don't have to explain it. I'm just giving you that's why I brought it was one got thrown out. Yeah. You on probation for anything? Yeah. No. I'm not on probation now. Any warrants? Negative. Well, I'm here I'm here now so I'm telling Yeah. I know people lie to you too before so you're going to see I'm just what do you do for work? I work on the water mains. Where at? Business out of Waxahachie my boss. But it's just been hours have been cut drastically. Yeah. Like the water mains like in the ground? Water services and stuff like that. Storage. How long you been working for that? 2 and 1/2 years. But we're down to like 20 hours right now a week just slow. Doesn't justify anything I do don't get me wrong but I'm being honest with you. You know what I mean? It's just been a little rough. Family issues going on, too, so >> Why is the Why is work slow? The It's not like a steady >> He just He's not It's not me. It's whatever work he he gets. You know what I mean? >> Is it So, it's a It's a personal company. It's not like for the city or anything like that. >> Correct. It's a personal company. Yeah. We just finished the job last year. It rolled into like a month or two of this year, but it was a full year for a Clewiston. Which while a lot of money being put out >> Yeah. >> And they're not paying what they said they were going to be paying right off the >> They're supposed to be building a whole bunch of homes out there in that area. >> In Clewiston? >> Yeah, like like just just west of that like before before you get to Fort Myers. >> Yeah. >> I mean, obviously that's a big area, but >> I'll leave them. >> Got it. >> All right. I suspended license story. James Dowell, East Clewiston mobile. Nothing out of the ordinary. >> Copy. Thank you. >> Copy. I was >> I mean, but like you said, people >> to check that. I'm just honestly having small talk with you. I I hope you're all right. Wait. Do you want me to reply or what? I'm just trying to show you I'm not >> It doesn't matter to me. Either way. Yeah, I I mean, but like you know people will say, "Oh, no, I don't have warrants." And then they're like, "Got warrants too." >> You know what You want to know what's ironic? I live off of the cops show. The show Cops. >> Yeah. >> I live watching all of that. So, I see what you guys have and girls have to go through with people being like Yeah, yeah. Oh, you know Oh, you know. And then all of a sudden it's like somebody's like huge wanted big time like I saw one they pulled over, he was the head of a some gang. I don't know what one of the big gangs, but he was like one of the head guys. He just happened to pull him over. You know what I mean? It's like out of nowhere. >> That's usually how traffic stops go. You really don't know who you're pulling over. I'm just waiting for him to come back with the total of everything and then we'll go from there. >> Yeah, no, I understand. But yeah, I don't have any warrants or anything outstanding. I hope he's just warning me. I pray. Just gives me the uh verbal uh trespass, I guess. >> What would that >> What it would be. >> Yeah, I mean it's it's it's up to the business what they want to do. >> I got you. I got you. >> Um either a trespass or they'll prosecute for what you what you took. >> I got you. >> If it is just a trespass, um you can't come back here for a year. Okay. All right. Um if it is if they want to prosecute, obviously depending on the money, you I can either give you if it's low enough, you'll get a notice to appear. You'll get a court date. >> Okay. >> Okay? And then you're also going to be trespassed like simultaneously. >> and then I have the obligation to >> to go to show up in court. Or if if the value is high enough where it's a felony, then you're taken the right to county. >> Okay. >> Okay? >> What is felony? >> Uh over 750. I I've no idea what was in that box, so. >> Some knives. Some knives. >> Michael 28. >> 2023 >> I'm going to do a signal 18. >> Copy. >> That's it. That's it for here, right? >> Yep. Home Depot 1 Westfall >> Home Depot 1 >> Can you send another unit here all about 10-15? >> Am I going in? >> Yep. >> Oh, no. >> All right, I sent you a picture of my wife. >> Yeah, how much was it? >> I don't know, but stand up. >> Oh, [ __ ] >> Yep. >> I'm going to murder you. I can't feel my god. >> Can you bring your arms close enough for one set of cuffs? >> No, I can't. >> No. Okay, we'll wait till we get somebody else to help you out. >> Can I ask you some questions now? Real quick. >> one second. Just put your hands on top of your head. I'm just going to search you. >> All right, go ahead. >> Nothing on you that I can stick me with, right? >> All right, how much was it though? >> Turn around. >> Oh, yeah, it's my Oh, yeah, oh, my god. >> Keep turning around. Thank you. >> I have an idea. I think that was mine. >> Yep. Mhm. >> Yeah. What's that? >> Oh, it's not very stupid. >> Shouldn't have anything. >> Okay. Well, you do, so. >> I got you. >> Um you don't have any gloves, do you? >> No, yeah. >> All right. I'm sorry. My hands >> Just keep your hands right there. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. I got you. Sorry um my bad. We just came off of a >> Or anything? You have a paper towel? >> I don't have any gloves. That's That's fine. What's that? Would you like me to empty it for you? >> Yeah, go ahead. You can take it out. Just put it on the seat for me. Or is >> Do you want me to >> No. Yeah, leave that right there. >> I'm sorry. I didn't even I I know it's all this and I didn't want to do that. I literally found that. Literally found that. Um hands up still or >> No, I'm good right now. >> How much was it, brother? >> And then that's >> Hundreds. >> In the hundreds? >> 900. >> 900? Really? >> Yeah, I had to walk through it all the way to the board. >> I thought that was the $300. >> 600 bucks right there. >> 600 bucks. Literally, I thought that was 300 bucks. >> the stick right >> Yeah, but I thought that's where it said 300 by there. >> Take a step back for me. >> I thought it It doesn't Yeah, yeah, yeah. >> for >> It doesn't It doesn't apply to you. Can you write down a phone number? >> Okay. You just have a seat for now. Yeah, we're going to get to everything. Have a seat. >> Yeah. >> I just can't bring you out to my car cuz there's a dog in my car. >> You got a dog, too? >> Yeah. >> Got you. >> So, I can't I need someone else to come here. I need someone to come here. You've been cooperative this whole time. >> Yeah, I I'm Listen, all right. I said I apologize. It's stupid. It doesn't make up for anything that I've done, but I I You know what I mean? I I really thought I was going to I thought it was like four or five hundred, yeah. >> When you add up all the other stores that you've done it to, it's quite a bit. >> Water? Water? The yellow ones? >> Yeah, I'll take one. >> The last one it got thrown out because of the seats I had and stuff. >> So you got it all the other times you've done this at other stores that they've >> Oh, oh, thank you very much. >> That was very nice of you, seriously. >> Did you pay for this? Thank you, bud. >> I'm going to trash can it. You have the receipt for all that stuff? >> Yeah, it's in the car. >> Oh, cool. >> Just the before tax. After tax it would have been 13. >> Really? >> Thanks, man. I appreciate it. And like I said, I have a Listen, it's something important that you probably heard or not, but truthfully I'm just I apologize. It's No still justification. I had family [ __ ] Bills were piling up. Still no justification, but I apologize, but Do you mind if I write down the phone number? >> Yeah, we'll let you do all that. >> All right, cool. >> Once we get you out to the car. I I have his ID, yeah. >> Oh, Jesus Christ. It's enough. This is possible I can put a text out to a family member to let them know? >> I'm just I'm sitting right here with you. >> Yep, sure. >> Thank you very much. They're going to so [ __ ] mad at me. Oh my god. And that's West Palm Beach? >> Mhm. >> Okay, so where would I be? >> You're you're going to be going to the Palm Beach County Jail on Gun Club. >> So I'm going to Gun Club? >> Yep. >> Okay. >> And then they'll determine your bond there. >> Okay, I will get a bond, you think? >> I I've no idea, but I I don't know. >> Probably, right? I don't have any felonies or anything like that. >> More than likely, probably. For now, just I'm sitting here with >> yeah. No problem. Thank you for understanding. >> Yep. You guys have a >> Can I just check this for you? >> two cuffs. >> I I'm being honest with you, it might be more >> Got material >> No, it's changed two cuffs. It might be really, really tight. >> All right. >> All right. I'm just giving you a heads up. >> I'll see. >> Let me open this one. >> Where Where'd you park at? >> I parked out here originally, then drove up front. >> Oh, can you open this one here? >> Yeah. I'll grab that too. >> I didn't know you were out there. >> I was knocking, nobody answered, so I thought you were out there. >> didn't I didn't hear anybody knocking. >> All right, back where we were before. >> Uh-huh. >> You're in the parking lot here, right? >> Yeah. >> Who else is here with you, the other trainee? >> No. >> It's just me. Oh, I thought somebody else was here with you. >> Um, Matthew is in the front. He's on the phone. >> Oh. Uh, you have two phones. Hold on a second. Yes. >> How you doing? >> I'm doing good. How are you? >> I've had better days, but you know. >> You too, man. Okay. >> Yeah, sure. Absolutely. >> Turn your hands inward like you're praying. >> Okay. Is that correct? Like that? >> Can I have my hands closer? Can I have my hands a little further? >> Yeah, maybe. >> Four. >> Yeah, I'm not going to lie to you. The the time with the Home Depot worker worker though, they had four of us. >> Give you mine. These are large. >> Are they as rusty as mine? >> Yeah, cuz they got wet. >> That's not going to be good. I'm uncomfortable. >> Hold on a second. I'm going to walk these on your wrists so they don't tighten up. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> I'm trying to lock one more. Hold on. Sorry. >> Is my mouth bleeding? >> All right. Come this way. I just got to get a statement from him and then write over there. >> Can I take it? >> It's up to you. I don't care. >> It's up to you. Can I take >> It's up to you. I don't I just can't run in the car right now. You understand? So, I'm we're to hang out here. >> Okay. >> All right. You want me to go? >> Yes. >> Absolutely. All right. I'll get that. >> You need to go find something. >> I'll grab this property in a second. >> Thank you. >> Um >> Yeah, I'm going to talk to the sergeant. >> Yeah, go ahead and Can you just do a more thorough check of him like just to make sure? He had a pipe on him. >> All right. I can't search you yet. I can snap you like check you first. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. I'm going to bring you to the car. All right. Sorry. >> Can I get your phone? You swear the testimony about to provide is the truth and nothing but the truth? >> Yes. >> Okay. You can lower your hand. Can you go over what happened? >> Um I recognized the subject from previous attempts and also from photos from the district. Um his MO was to stuff um merchandise into other boxes and walks out the store. So I began observation. He went to the cabinets department where he grabbed a medical mirror cabinet and pulled it out the box. And he also ripped a little um switch ticket and put placed it on the box. Um so the box was empty at that time after he removed the mirror from the box. He then went to the hardware department where he grabbed multiple merchandises, uh a power tool, and multiple um box cutters, and a Milwaukee flashlight. He then went to the mirror department again where he stuffed everything into the medic the cabinet box and taped it up and he put it on the shelves. He then exited the store and went to his vehicle. Um a couple minutes later, he came back in, grabbed that same box, and paid for the merchandise and exited out the store passing all points of sale. >> Wait, which merchandise he paid for? >> Um he paid for he put a ticket on the on the box. He basically paid for the mirror, >> Mhm. >> which wasn't no mirror in there. >> Okay. >> And his drink. That's all he paid for. >> Okay. >> So, everything was concealed into the box. So, none of the those items on the receipt was paid for. >> I got you. And do you have the video for me? >> I'll have it. It's going to be a while. Cuz it's like a 2-hour almost 2-hour watching. >> You mind if we view it? You have it pulled up? >> Yes. >> This is going to be the end of this sworn statement. The time is currently 20:51 hours. All right, honey. I'm going to read you the rights before I ask you any questions, okay? You have the right to um after each one just um verbally say yes you understand or no you don't understand, and I'll explain it to you better, >> Okay. >> okay? If you don't understand it. You have the right to remain silent and not answer any question. Do you understand? >> Yes. >> You have the right to the presence of a lawyer of your choice before you make any statements and during questioning. Do you understand? >> Yes. >> If you cannot afford a lawyer, you are entitled to the presence of a court-appointed lawyer before before you make any statement and during questioning. Do you understand? >> Yes. >> Any statement can and may be used against you in a court of law. Do you understand? >> Yes. >> Any statement you make must be freely and voluntarily given. Do you understand? >> Yes. >> If at any time during the interview you do not wish to answer any questions, you are privileged to remain silent. Do you understand? >> Yes. >> I can make no threats or promises to induce you to make a statement. This must be of your own free will. You you >> Yes. >> All right. You want to tell me what's going on here today? What brought us here? >> Just financial issues. I got home, so >> Okay. Go ahead. >> Bad decisions in life. >> Okay. >> That's it. >> Financial issues at home. >> Yeah. >> How did that lead you to coming to Home Depot? >> Just bad decisions. >> I need a little bit more explanation. I get having financial issues, but why come to Home Depot? Why did you come here today? >> Looking to hopefully get some tools and hopefully make money or I don't know. I don't know. What is in rubber headed thing? It's a tool. >> Mhm. Look, listen, that's understandable. We are human beings and we make mistakes, correct? >> Yeah. >> So, mistakes happen. >> Yeah. >> The tools that you said you were looking to get were those the tools that you put in the box? >> Um well, it was just tools I was looking at. Yeah. >> Okay. What were you planning on doing with those tools? >> I don't know. Put them up for sale or something. I don't know. >> Okay. That's understandable. What's going on um in your life? >> Hours are cut at work. >> Where do you work at? >> I work at uh for a water treatment company. That's a private private business. Two years. >> Okay. >> So, I'm not uh Right now cuz I work 20 hours. >> Where is that at? >> Uh up in Walnut Ridge. >> Have you tried looking for any jobs? >> I've been trying to every time I know it's not like every time you try to look for something or get something, your main job something pops up work wise, you know, and I I got to be available. It's just I don't know. I I got to figure out how to make more income for my family cuz this is embarrassing to me. >> You have a family? Yeah. >> I'm not proud of this. >> You have kids? How many? >> Two. >> How old are they? >> 16 and 12. >> Yeah, you have the kids, you got to think about them. Yeah, but this definitely was not the way to go. >> No, it wasn't. >> Is this something you've done before? >> Have I done this before? I I've Last time I It's what I did this I It was thrown out cuz I wasn't stealing. >> Okay. Did you pay for any of the items that you walked out with? >> I paid for the box. >> And which box was that? >> Uh I didn't There's a bracket It's like a mirror. >> Okay. What did you do with the mirror? >> The mirror's on the shelf. >> Okay. So, you took the mirror out of the box? Yeah, but kept the sticker on it? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> That's it. >> How did you >> It was cut and dry pretty much. >> Okay. Yeah, but did you walk out with the box empty? >> No. >> And how did you pay for the box? >> I scanned it. Then that's when they uh grabbed it. That's when they went and talked to me. >> Yeah, but was I I'm trying to get the whole story. >> No, I got to tell you I I paid for the box, scanned it. >> Was there anything inside of the box? >> The things that they saw. >> The tools? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Okay, that's what I was trying to get. >> That's all. >> So you put the tools inside of the empty mirror box. >> Yeah. >> And then you paid for the box. >> Yeah, okay. All right. And you say you you did this once and it got dropped. >> No, I No, they thought I was stealing one time and it got dropped. >> Where was that at? >> Uh that was at uh at uh It's It's not at Wellington, it's by there. It's the one on uh 441 over there. >> Okay. All right, honey. All right, anything else you would like to add to your statement? >> No. >> Okay. I see you're >> Sorry again. >> You're good. You're sweating a little bit. You want the AC up? >> Once you open that door, it got it got hot. >> Yeah, it's hot out here. Plus the heat coming from >> If you enjoy videos like this, please hit the subscribe button and turn on your notifications. Also, consider becoming a member for early access to all our videos.