I never had issue. I've been as a store manager. I never dealt with nothing with money. I don't steal money. Why would I take your money to the store? >> What do you do with the money bag? >> Okay. >> No matter how generous business owners and employers are to their staff, there will always be those wicked employees who are so driven by desperation that they are willing to risk it all just to steal a couple of dollars from their bosses. >> Did you take $1,600? >> Nope. >> Why did you tell the other manager that you did, sir? Oh, >> did you take that money? >> Yes, I did. >> Okay. >> Here are heartbreaking moments when desperate employees risked it all to steal from their bosses. Starting off with 27-year-old Destiny Meeks, a serial forged check scammer who attempted to play the victim game after conniving with her boyfriend to pull off several check forgery scams. >> She deposited four checks. >> Okay. But three different banks. One's ours. >> Okay. >> Um, where did you get those checks from? >> I got I was breaking with my ex-boyfriend. Um, I just thought that's what it was. I knew it sounded too good to be true, but I he made me think that it was real. On July the 15th, 2024, deputies with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a local region's bank after receiving a report of a woman, later identified as 27-year-old Destiny Meeks, attempting to cash a fraudulent check. They rushed over to the bank and started to interrogate the bank employee who had the encounter with the suspect. But just as she started talking, it became clear that the situation at hand was bigger than they had imagined. >> The fraud in the nice to meet you, pleasure. >> Hi, good to meet you. Very nice to meet you. >> So, what's going on today? >> I I I >> You don't want I'll take it. Uh but uh >> was a production check, right? >> A couple. >> No. No. So, she's been a customer of ours since 2021. >> Okay. >> Works for the Broward County School District. >> Okay. >> I have her cell phone number. >> She works for Broward County School District. Is she a teacher or would she >> She had a tag. >> Oh, she had a tag. Okay. >> She has to go back to school. I don't think >> I'm not sure what position. >> I don't think she should be that. >> Okay. >> She deposited four checks. >> Okay. >> But three different banks. One's ours. >> Okay. >> The one with ours is held. We held Which one? This one's ours, >> right? >> We held it. >> So, we have a fraud hold on it. >> All the other ones cleared. >> What's up? What does that one say with a detective on it? >> Oh, they they told me to call the detective bureau. That's all. That's just me. They're they're going to Yeah, they're Who told you to call them? >> My corporate security. >> Okay. Yeah. Cuz they're usually the ones that follow up on it. So they're >> So they're going to be pressing charges obviously. It's going to be It's over $10,000. >> Okay. >> I reached out to Prime Bank and they actually talked to me. >> Okay. >> And I got the girl's name at Prime Bank. She reached out to they know the bookkeeper, >> right? >> And they said, "These aren't even our checks." >> Okay. >> So they made the checks up and deposited them four different days. >> Okay. June 21st, 24th. Oh, they're all close in proximity to, you know, >> three different three different branches. >> Okay. But same region's bank, right? Just making sure. >> It's like one is in Oakland Park. Um, and then Plantation and then us. >> Okay. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. All regions banks, just different location. >> So, I have her phone number and I told her I'm going to call her to let her know if I was able to get the funds available for her cuz she wants her $3,800 and then she's closing her account. >> Okay. She has 30 years. >> Meeks, right? Justine Meeks. >> Meeks. >> Okay. >> Um, I could give you whatever you need for her. >> Do you have personal information on that or >> Oh, I could give you her social. I could give you everything. >> Nice. I'll take all that. >> Whatever you need. >> She was here today. >> This team was here today. >> She was just here. Her phone number's there. She was just here today and I told her that I she had to go back to school. So, let me see what I could do to get this released for you. >> And she she came here to collect money, right? Is that correct? >> Yeah. >> In total, how much was she trying to pick up? >> $3,800. >> Mhm. But she already got what do we have here? 38. >> Yeah. 38 23 >> 38. >> Has she was Was she able to retrieve any of the monies in the other banks or not? >> Yes, she all the other checks cleared. Mhm. >> Except for you guys. You're the only ones that have cleared it. >> Put a hold on it. >> Okay. >> King's point. >> I want you guys to put a hold on it. Just out of curiosity. >> Looks like crap. We know. It doesn't look right. So, she already got $9,750. >> Okay. How often does she come here? >> Uh, she doesn't. But if I called her and told her I had her cash, she'll come. >> Okay. I'll touch base with DB and if they have they want to reach out to you, they'll call you and let you know how they're going to want to handle. >> I would love to know. But I need to call her today to to tell her. >> 67. >> You want to tell her what? >> That she could come get her cash, but I want to make sure someone's here. >> Oh, yeah. Let's wait on Let's Yeah, let's wait on that first because I want to see if they're able to do anything today. Um I'm going to reach out to one of the sergeants out there. I know. >> I just want to get a nicer husband than her and lose her job. >> Yeah, >> that's all I want cuz she shouldn't be in the school district with kids. whatever she's done over there. Yeah. >> And you know something? >> Yeah. >> I'm sure there's so much more than this on the phone now. >> I'm sure there's so much more than >> After speaking with that bank employee, they went over to another bank that the suspect had earlier visited, hoping to find more evidence that would be used to nail the suspect. >> Can you raise your right hand? You swear and affirm the testimony about to give us truth. The whole truth, nothing but truth. Help you God. >> I swear. >> Okay. There are six photographs of uh six similar uh female suspect subjects in reference to a uh fraud case at Regent's Bank. Correct. >> Correct. >> And that fraud occurred back on July 15th, 2024 in reference to the fraudulent deposit of a $3,800 check. Correct. >> Correct. >> Okay. And were you able to make an identification in that photo array? >> Yes. >> Okay. And what number photograph did you identify as a suspect who committed that fraud? >> Number four. >> Number four. Okay. And you know her from being a customer? >> Just from seeing her that one day. I've never seen her before. >> Okay. Do you know her name? >> Destiny Meeks. >> Okay. And she has an account at Regent's Bank. >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. And do you know how it was determined that that check was uh >> uh when Destiny came in, she went to our teller, whose name is Isabelle, she's off today. And I was sitting at my desk and Destiny was very loud with Isabelle. Um and basically yelling at Isabelle for not giving her funds. So that's when um Destiny came to my desk so I can assist her. And then um we do verify every check we get as much as we can. Uh for that specific check, I do not remember. I would have to look it up again. Uh but I don't remember how we determined it being fraud. >> But the amount of evidence that they had gathered, the deputies decided it was time to interrogate the suspect. They knew that she was no ordinary thief and that if they needed to get the truth from her, they would have to resort to very unconventional antics. Uh, I am required to warn you before you make any statements that you have the following constitutional rights. You have the right to remain silent and not answer any questions. You understand that? >> You got to say yes. >> Yes. I'm sorry. >> And with those rights in mind, are you choosing to speak with me? >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. So, basically what happened was we got a complaint and I'm going to tell you a lot of the questions I'm going to ask you. I already know the answer to. Um, I'm really just looking for your cooperation and to be honest. Honesty is the best policy here. I'll work with you. um when it comes to you know what the consequences are. Okay? But just be honest with them. That's the most important thing investing. I promise you if you're honest it'll be better. Okay. Um we got a complaint from uh Prolink Realy Company. Okay. Prolink realy uh out of uh Sous City, Iowa. Okay. that several of their checks had been deposited or cashed in Florida. Okay. So, that came to my office and I started looking into it and I pulled bank records. Bank records include video surveillance footage, bank account information for both the account at at Prolink and yours. Um, and uh information from Regent's Bank. Okay. Uh from tellers and and management there. Uh, so basically when I did all that, I found these checks that are made out to you. That's your name, right? Okay. In various different amounts, okay? And they were deposited in different locations. This specific one, check 0100093, okay, was deposited or attempted to be deposited or cash at a region's bank in return. Okay, the other ones were all in Brower County. Okay, so this check here I pulled video of that transaction. Is that you, >> Eddie? >> That's you. >> Okay. And that was on June 24th in Boca Raton on 441 kind of like Boca Greens over just just between Glades Road and like Point Mor Road over there. So that video is you actually trying to deposit that particular check. Is that correct? >> Mhm. >> Okay. Um where did you get those checks from? >> I got I was breaking with my ex-boyfriend. Um he had a mutual friend that was like he have extra work for us. He was like um delivering fabric and stuff >> like to delivering what? >> Like fabric like um >> fabric. Yeah. Okay. >> So like different you know people who wants to do their homes or whatever like local people >> and he was telling me that um my ex-boyfriend was like you know I know work is slow for you and which was during the summer time and work we only got like 3 4 hours here. So I was like yeah you know I can use it. They never told me. I had no acknowledge that the check was stolen. But when I was doing the work, they was saying people like knowledge and gas or whatever. And they was like, um, we're you don't have no set price on what we give you is, you know, as long as you do the work, you'll get paid. So, I'm thinking everything was legit because my ex-boyfriend of course, you know, recommended me to these people. So when I when he gave me once I finally got the first check when which was um one of those I deposited into my account I never thought it was anything wrong with it because he gave it to me. He say he loved me. He you know I trusted him but he know them people. I didn't know the people who actually gave it to him but he was the one that gave me the check and I deposited into my account. >> Okay. So when you're doing fabric uh stuff for somebody did you think it was odd that the check said Troll Link Realy on it? I asked him, but he was like he don't know. That's the name that they told him that they working with. Like he and I I asked him about it. >> And your ex-boyfriend never said where he got the checks from? >> He just said a friend. It was like through a mutual friend. >> Did your boyfriends give you the checks or the company did? >> No, my ex-boyfriend handed me the check. >> Handed you the check and said it was from them? >> Yes. >> Okay. And what kind of work did you do for this fabric company? >> I was just helping deliver. Like I was just delivering it to local people who was inquiring about it >> about fabric. Yeah. >> And you would deliver fabrics. >> It was Yeah. different >> like in rolls or >> Yeah. Like it was like rolls boats like it was not like not big bolts but it was like little stuff. >> As convincing as her story was, the detectives knew better than to let wool be pulled over their eyes. Whether it was true or just a calculated attempt to evade consequences. It was now their responsibility to get to the bottom of it. >> Okay. So then you deposited. So how much I mean how much typically did you get paid for like cuz that's a lot of money. $3,800. Another $3,800 2955 2955,020. Um, so there's like a lot of, you know, that that's a lot of money to deliver. >> You're right about that. >> I mean, that's a lot of money. Did Did you think that that was a little odd that they paying you that much amount of money? I did, but I didn't because he never told me like it was, you know, it was easy and he never gave me a set price of what it would be like, you know, not that he never gave me an amount. Okay. I mean, because you had one deposit on the 21st of June, another one on the 21st, both $3,800. Then you had another one on the 21st, which or the check was made out on the 21st for 2955 on the 19th for 2955 on May 31st for $5,220. And that's a lot of money for delivery, right? >> Yeah, it is. >> Are these your signatures on the back of the checks? >> Yeah, that one. And so that's check 2034 from um Absoft Financial Services out of Cleveland, Georgia. So that's even a different company. So was that a red flag to you that like there was different checks from different companies that they were giving you? >> It was, but I day today they work with different they different ones like different companies. I'm >> getting old. >> No, it's okay. So, this one here is from Prolink. This is check number 10 070. This one's made out for 2955, dated 619, June 19th. Is that your signature? >> No. >> That's not your signature. >> Okay. So, whose signature is that? Who deposited that? >> Um, well, I I I bring it in. >> So, who >> Well, I didn't sign it. >> Who signed it? the back of his >> It had to be um either >> looked like maybe one of his friends cuz that's not his but >> you deposited his video and and bank records that you deposited. >> Yes. >> But he signed it. >> Yeah. I didn't sign that one. >> And what about this one? >> No. >> No. >> This one looks like you. Is that your signature with your account number? >> Okay. So that's >> so that's check 100093. This one was deposited or this one was uh negotiated on the 24th. The date on the check is the 21st but was negotiated on the 24th. The 3,800. That is your signature. >> That's my signature. >> Okay. Well, what I did is I went into the bank and they were able to identify you as the person that made some of those deposits and those checks. Um, so one thing that we say is sometimes if something seems too good to be true, maybe it is. >> For you to be, you know, paid that kind of money for for, you know, delivering fabric on such a continuous basis. I mean, like, >> some days you got paid $3,800 twice. >> Mhm. >> You know, in checks. And some of the checks are from different from different places. So, I mean, if what you're telling me is true, then your boyfriend did you wrong. >> He definitely did. >> Okay. >> What is your What is your boyfriend's name? >> Peter. >> Peter. What? >> Walden. >> How do you spell that? >> W A L D E N. >> And what's his phone number? >> I don't know if my heart right now. >> Are you still with him? >> No. There's no We broke up. >> And where does he stay? He stayed in Broward, but he he don't have a like physical home. But last place I knew he Yeah. He was staying with his cousin, but I know his cousin lease was up like a month ago. So I don't know where he's at. >> You don't know where he's staying? >> I don't know. >> Okay. What does he do for work? >> Nothing. >> He doesn't work? >> No. >> Okay. So, where do you think he got these checks? >> He said a It was a through a mutual friend. He never gave me no name. >> And how did you get this job? Through your ex-boyfriend? >> Yes. Now, did you give him cash after you deposited those checks? Did you give your boyfriend cash? Your ex-boyfriend? >> Um, yes. >> Okay. How much? Every question was carefully aimed at pulling out key details that would help them determine whether Destiny was truly innocent or the serial scammer they believed her to be. And just when they had confirmed her role in the scam scheme, they broke the news that they have been holding back all along. >> Who? I'm not sure the full amount because it wasn't much. I >> So he basically had you deposit these checks into your account or cash them >> and then he asked you to give him money out of those checks. >> So is that a red flag to you? >> That is okay. >> I do agree. >> All right. So basically, unfortunately for you, there are charges against you for uttering a forged check and grand theft. >> Okay. Yeah. Because it's forged. That check came from someplace else. Okay. And >> I didn't have no We're not saying that you forged the check, but you uttered the check. You presented it to the bank. Okay? So, and a reasonable person, a reasonable person would believe that this is too good to be true for this to be where you're getting all this money for just delivering fabric. Okay? So, if you are telling me the truth, which I want to believe you, okay, you should know. >> I acknowledge that it was stolen from that. I knew I knew that it I should have never witnessed. I never had no problem with mutual. I never got in trouble before, sir. I never I don't do stuff like this. I always work. >> Like I've been working since I was 16 years old. >> When's the last time you were arrested? >> I never been arrested in my life. >> Okay. >> I never been arrested. I don't get I don't do stuff like this. >> Okay. >> Which is So you made a mistake? >> I did make a I made a big mistake. I could tell you that the truth. >> So there are consequences to those mistakes. Okay. And and what the statute says for uttering is that you presented a check that somebody else forged, okay, or washed, I don't know where they got these checks from, but they're stolen, okay? >> And I did not have no knowledge to >> and you deposited it or cashed it against your account, okay, into a region. >> And I've been with them for the longest. I never had no problems with them. >> And obviously, you know, that your bank account's been frozen and all that stuff, so you had to know that something was coming. >> Yes. I I figured that. >> So why didn't you contact us? I didn't know like what to I didn't honestly I didn't know. I I'm just telling you the truth. That's >> okay. So, because you're being cooperative with me, I want to be, you know, upfront and honest with you about everything. There are charges against you for this. Okay. >> Please. No. >> Yeah. I can't do anything about that. That's that's just how it is. Now, we could try to make this work um as easy as possible for you. I know you work, >> but you're going to have to take a day off to go get processed up in No, please. No. >> Yeah. >> Please. Yes. Yes. >> I have to go to jail for this. >> Yes. So, what's going to happen is you got to There's two one of two things that could happen. Okay. >> I could file for the warrant. >> No. >> And you don't want me to do that because what happens then is I come here with the Broward Sheriff's Office and we take you from war. I don't want you to lose. >> I don't want to. I don't want to go to jail. Mr. P, please. >> I know. >> Mrs. Harry. Oh my god. Please. I know, Destiny. I understand. >> I cannot go to jail, sir. I cannot go to jail. >> So, this is option number two. Okay, this is option number two is where you meet me up in Palm Beach County. We get you processed and you get out the same day. Okay, as long as you can post your bomb. >> Oh my god. Lord, please. I never been in trouble before. >> I know, but unfortunately, >> I don't want to go to jail. I never been in trouble. I didn't know nothing about this. I never knew that he had knowledge of being stolen. I would never go inside to make him do that. I never been in trouble for getting paid so much money. >> I did not. I just thought that's what it was. I knew it sounded too good to be true, but I he made me think that it was real. >> Oh my god. No lord. You can't go to jail, sir. >> Well, you got to get processed. So there's those are the two options. Those are it. That's those are your two options. I could file for the warrant >> and in 30 days come back here and pick you up with the sheriff's office. I don't want to do that. >> I don't want you to do that. >> So option number two is a better option for you where you self-surrender. You meet me in Palm Beach County. >> Oh my god. >> We get you processed which basically is fingerprints and photos. Okay. And then you could postpone. Okay. >> Is there anything else I could do? >> Those are the only two options at this point. those are the only two options for you. >> As reality hit her hard, she began to wonder whether a few illotten dollars were really worth everything she was on the verge of losing. And at that moment, she had just one question for the detective. >> Well, I still lose my job, even if I go to Palm Beach. >> Well, if you come to me, I don't have to come here and arrest you. So, what you tell them is your business. Okay? What you inform them of is your business. I don't know if they continue do continuous background checks or if they already did it cuz you're hired and that's it. But I'm not going to come back here and purposely mention anything. Um, but if I have to come here and arrest you on the spot, then they're going to know. >> Okay, >> Mr. Eric, >> Destiny, those are the only two options. >> Oh my god. >> Those are the only two options here. I mean, you got paid a substantial amount of money for doing delivery of batter. I mean, that's it's not even it's not even realistic. It's not >> Oh my god. I mean, any reasonable person would believe that that's too good to be true. To get that kind of money over that short period of time, we're talking about from May 31st through basically a month, you made more than most people do in in a year. >> And I work regular. I have a regular job. I've been working since I was 16. I never been in trouble before. >> Yeah, I get that. I understand that. I understand that. And unfortunately, unfortunately, you got mixed up with the wrong person. And you know, you did something that you probably should have had a little bit more common sense to know wasn't right and you did it. And there's consequences to that. There are. >> Now, you could what you could do, this doesn't mean you're guilty, okay? What this is is it's called probable cause. What it means is that I have enough to arrest you for it and file for a warrant. It doesn't mean you're guilty. You'll have your day in court and if you tell them what you told me, they may say to you, "Well, if you're cooperative and you work with us, maybe we could do something to lighten your sentence." Okay? And maybe we could do something to to work with you if you work with us. I can't make any promises. I can't say that that's going to happen, but if you're willing to do that, um, you know, I would like to maybe meet with you after this and maybe uh have you contact Peter. Would he Do you still talk? >> I don't talk to him. >> You don't talk? Would he answer the call if a phone call if you called him? No. >> Okay. Cuz I'd like to know where he got the checks, but ultimately you're responsible and he used you because he knew that you had an account and he knew that that it was going to come back to you. Okay. But it's not reasonable for somebody to get paid that kind of money for making delivery and you know that. You said it yourself. Sometimes if it's too good things seems too good to be true, it is. So I think me personally, this is my opinion. I think that you should do option number two and self surrender yourself because I don't want to come back here and arrest you because it's a whole horse and pony show. >> They bring their SWAT team, you know, the warrants division comes out, they have their trucks come in, we got to process, we got to arrest you on spot and they'll wait for you, you know, until you get here in the morning until you come back at at night or in the afternoon. And I don't want to do that. I really don't. What you tell your employer is your business. I'm not purposely making any phone calls to tell them anything. Okay. >> Um, if you could take a day Well, if you could take a day, >> you didn't ruin your life. What I will say, >> I understand. >> What I will tell you is trouble before. >> I understand that. I understand that. And and I know cuz I I ran your record already. But what you have to understand is consequences to mistakes. >> You know, and this is something that you should have thought about when you were doing it. >> How much of that 3,800 did you get? >> It ain't I know it. Um I didn't get all of it. I didn't get it. >> Okay. So, how much did you get? >> I'm not Sir, I'm not even going to lie. I don't even remember like the amount. >> Okay. >> I can't I don't want to tell you amount. That's okay. That's all right. >> Um, so what I'm asking from you is your availability this week to come and self-surrender yourself. This has to be this week. That's the only option. I can't put this off anymore. Okay? So, I would suggest today's Monday. Why don't you come in Wednesday and meet me at that address that I gave you? Okay. That address that I gave you. 179. Do you still have it? Yes. >> Okay. I want to make sure you have it. Do you have it written down somewhere? >> Yeah, I do. >> It's on your phone. >> Yeah, it's inside. Okay. >> It's on the piece of paper. It's in my work bag. >> Okay. Seeing how distraught she was, the detective decided to offer her a possible way out of the situation. Whether she chose to take it, however, was entirely up to her. >> So, my suggestion is we meet her early in the morning. You come up there first thing in the morning. I can meet you there as early as you want. >> Do you know how much like bond might be? >> Uh, you could get a bail bondsman. They take 10%. So, if each charge, they'll tell you when you go up there. >> How many charges do I have? >> Oh my god, sir. >> Okay. Um, >> what would be the name for it >> for the charges? >> Uttering a forged check and grand theft. >> Okay. >> I didn't steal that. >> So, let me give you an example, Destiny. Let me give you an example. If each charge was, let's say, $3,000 with the bond, so that would be $6,000. A bail bondsman gets 10%. So, you'd have to come up with $600 if that's what it is. if that's what it is. It may be less. It may be more. I don't know. They'll tell you when you go up. >> YOU HAVE TO GET THAT grant though because I did not steal no check. I didn't had no knowledge that that check was stolen. >> I understand. >> I honestly could tell you that I have no knowledge that that check have been stolen, Mr. Eric. I promise you I didn't. I would never make it that. >> Well, again, that's something that you could tell the judge when you have your appearance. Okay. You're going to get >> Do I have appearance the same day or no? >> No. you're going to get you're going to be able to bond out. So, you this is a bondable offense. This isn't something that you're going to have to stay in jail for. As long as you can post a bond, okay? I don't know if your parents or somebody or anybody you know, friends could could help you if you need help. Um, but what I would suggest is it gives you a day to get it your your affairs in order. Take off of work, call in sick, whatever you got to do to take the day off and meet me at that address that I gave you in Bokeh on Wednesday morning. This is something that's going to pass. He ruined my life. >> Look at me. Look at me. This is going to pass, okay? It's going to pass. It's not anything that you is you have to worry about for the future. Just take care of it. If you don't take care of it now, it'll haunt you. >> Okay? >> Take care of it now and work it out. Okay? This doesn't mean you're guilty. >> A judge may show compassion in for you and say, "Hey, work with us, you know, and we'll we'll lighten your sentence. Maybe drop it down to a misdemeanor. Maybe do some community service. You have no record. >> Yeah. I never been in trouble. >> You've never been in trouble. Okay. >> I hate that he even like I thought he >> Listen, you made a mistake. It happens to the best of us. Listen, I've I've been in relationships that I've made mistakes, too. >> This is the worst mistake I ever did. This is causing me my background. I never been in trouble. >> Listen, see what happens. The judge could The judge has a lot of power. The state attorney's office has a lot of power. I can't make any promises to you. I can't I can't tell you that it's going to happen. But I can tell you that this is a first time offense for you. Then usually they try to work with you, okay? But don't put this up. This has to be Wednesday. >> In the end, she was charged with felony forged checks and felony grand theft. The next case takes us to Boon Beach, Florida, where 43-year-old Melan Mark made a bold move attempting to rip off her boss of $5,777 on her very first week on the job. >> I never had issue. I've been as a store manager. I never dealt with nothing with money. I don't steal money. Why would I take your money to the store? >> In the scheme of things, this is only like $5,000 or $4,000 or something like that. might have taken out from in from that car. >> You're a normal person. This is not a normal situation. That's why we're just explaining everything to you. Okay. >> On August the 21st, 2024, Boon Beach police responded to a local Dollar T following a report that the store's manager, later identified as 43-year-old Melan Mark, was caught stealing cash bank deposits. When they arrived, they quickly started interrogating the HR, who had earlier made the report, hoping to get to the bottom of the situation. >> Okay, so tell me what happened. So, um I get an email like we verify when we're in our stores our deposits, but usually our treasury department finds like a missing deposit before us like within a week they'll flag on an email telling us that it hasn't been validated through the bank. So, I started to receive emails. Um quickly it was like two, then it became three, it was four. Um right now I'm I have six um and it's going to be six in total. this store manager, she had just started here on July 29th. It was her first day in this store. So, like she trained with us for five weeks at another location. Um, and came here by 8:4 I'm missing my first. So, so July 29th she started at this location. >> Yeah. >> And then um you said she trained for 5 weeks at another location. >> Yeah. >> Um but like in the capacity of manager. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, she was >> But was she with the company before? >> No. Okay. >> So, she got hired in, brought in as a manager and then she was training. >> Yeah. So, she finished her. >> So, this was like the first time being solo. >> Yes. Alone. >> Unattended. Right. >> By Wednesday, I came in here to the store to meet with her and my asset protection manager um came and met us as well to discuss what was going on with the deposits with her. M >> so she said she took all these deposits to the bank that they're all going to be in the bank. She's very mildtempered, not really getting upset easily. Um >> so that was on the 14th on the Wednesday you came in on Wednesday. >> So you did like a little investigation and then on Wednesday you met with her. >> Yeah. >> Okay. With along with asset protection. Okay. And so you guys discussed it with her. >> Yeah. >> So she knows. >> Yes, she knows. >> Okay. So and and then I'm sorry. So then what did she say to you guys? She was very like she was very mildtempered. I mean she wasn't argumentative. She wasn't anything. She wasn't riled up or any there was she was very calm. And so I took him to the bank. Like I signed him out. I took them all to the bank. They're all going to be at the bank. And you know even after he left I continued to talk to her a little bit oneon-one like maybe you changed purses or bags that you brought to work. Don't you want to go check your car? Double check. Like if you were taking multiples at a time, one could slide out at a red light. Double check. And she's like I know they're not in there. like I took him to the bank and she's just very confident but not really doesn't care to help or look or you know do anything for it as far as that. And even like the day before because I was um across town, I sent the man the store manager that trained her. She's right up the road. So I sent her on Tuesday to meet with this store manager and go over the deposits and I had her staff at the bank, see if there was anything going on and she was very, you know, casual with her, really not too worried about it. Um, the biggest red flag for me right away was that store manager stressed to her like, "Okay, you're coming in tomorrow. You're scheduled at 12, meaning Wednesday. Um, make sure you go to the bank before you go to your store cuz you need to resolve where your missing deposits are. They should be validated by the bank right away the next day. You need to talk to a bank manager, not a teller. Um, find out what's going on." So, she didn't know we were going to be in her store on Wednesday, but like she came walking in with a bag of McDonald's. Didn't care. I asked her, "Hey, did you go to the bank before you came here?" >> And that was on Tuesday. >> Oh, no. On Wednesday, like when I was physically in the store with her, >> but she was supposed to go there on Tuesday to >> She was supposed to go Wednesday, like before she came in cuz she came in at 12:00 on Wednesday. So, she she didn't even go to the bank at that point. So, in my head, I'm like, "Well, you don't want to go talk to the bank because, >> you know, they don't really have the deposits, right?" So, >> yeah. Otherwise, why not go and try to find out where you're >> And is the policy to like every night go and deposit like >> Yes. >> Not to hold on to it like you can't hold on to it till the next day or you can't keep four deposits and then >> Yes. So, technically they should be taking them daily, right? Um and if the person that's closing at night doesn't have a vehicle or isn't able to go to the bank, then we would take them right away the next morning. So, for whatever reason, she was skipping days right away of not going to the bank each day and then taking multiples. >> At that point, it was impossible to make any assumptions yet. If the suspect was as calm and unrled as the HR claimed, it could only mean one thing. But before they could let their instinctive minds take over, they had one question for the store owner. >> And um I mean, do you know anything about any prior like work history or where she came from? Do you know anything about this person? Um I I mean we do a background check. I don't see the results of that like the other HR department would see the results. All I know is if they pass or fail. So she passed the background check and that's how she was able to come on board. She stated that she was the store manager of >> what is it across the street? Maybe a deed's discount of City Trends. Okay. I think maybe that's what it was. But she was the store manager of City Trends across the street. Um, so I think that's where she came from previous to here, but no, she worked with me for a very short time, so I don't know much about her at that point. >> Mhm. >> Um, >> and no um no issues that you're aware of like from her time in training or anything? >> No. >> Okay. >> So, she's writing on this report what day she goes to the bank. So, those are the days that we've created the deposits. So, then what we're saying is they sat in the in the safe for a couple days. So this is the day that the computer where somebody physically created the deposit, but these are the dates that she's saying that she actually went to the bank and dropped them off >> and the time. >> So that's how she's taking or accumulating multiples because it's like couple days built up before we're going to the bank to drop them off. >> That's what it is. >> So she admitted to taking them all. She told me about what time she went to the bank and each day. And because obviously she's confident they're going to see her on the camera because I have each day some deposits that get validated cuz then this is where I write in like that it's validated from the bank after that. Um >> but these these ones that are missing that are not validated are missing. >> Yes. Yeah. So, when I had partnered with the bank, um I went through and tried to see if um like any of the bag the deposit bag numbers were processed just to see if maybe there was just a completely wrong amount that was deposited, anything like that. So, they printed me a copy of what had been deposited since the I think the 5th till like the day I received the paper. And they don't like those deposit bags aren't there. and the amounts aren't there. So, looks like I'm And that's what I got from the bank yesterday. So, I've been like dealing with the bank this whole time just trying to make sure before we filed a police report. And when I like when I talked to Nelan about this situation, like at first there was 10. Well, not that hit my reporting yet, but when I came in here, like I still was missing. And that's why these are all highlighted. Like at the time when I'm coming to talk to her, like even these are missing. And I mean, she just spent the whole time like looking at this and she's like, "Well, these are there." Like these these are there. I know. I just took these on Monday. Like, so she focused more on these and I'm still missing one from this group, right? So, she took four. I got three back. Three validated by the bank and I'm missing um the largest one of those. Um but like that's all she was like focused on. I was like, "Okay, well, I'm talking to you about 10. So, I need to know that all 10 went missing. Even if I had one missing at this point, it would be a problem, right?" So, like I would try to like redirect the conversation. She was just focused on that day and I was like, "Oh, she took my deposits." That's never happened. I worked for Dr. for 20 years. I've never hired somebody who just out of that role. Like, I could have some other assistant managers who get paid a lot less that maybe have taken something right away, but not a store manager. >> So, it's different for me. But I guess >> she wasn't uh she just was not emotional about it at all or just not showing any sort of >> Yeah. Like just so nonchalant like the bank like it's serious and my asset protection said like I'm going to be here Friday the police if these deposits don't get to the bank. And she was still just very casual and like she showed up for work. So, I thought, you know, that >> maybe they're going to show up or is she going to pay him back and get him into the bank quickly, something? But >> so on that Wednesday after that conversation, was that when she was placed on like leave or what when was the >> So, I came I came on Friday and put her leave. >> Okay. So, when she showed up for her shift, that's when she was placed on the 16th. >> Yeah. On Friday. >> On Friday. >> 16th. Yeah. So I met her in like the afternoon and then >> and is she like suspended with pay without pay? >> With without pay. >> Okay. >> In the HR statement, it was clear that the suspect wasn't as innocent as she was pretending to be. Now the officers had one last question that would eventually determine what would happen next. >> Obviously, we have to ask you, does the company want to prosecute? >> Yes. Okay. >> All right. Raise your right hand for me. You swear affirm that everything that you told me, everything that we spoke about is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. >> Yes. Okay. >> After speaking to the HR, they went over to the bank to ask questions and to get evidence to back up the HR's narrative. Two months later, Nellan was invited to the police station for interrogation. >> Been in one of these rooms before? >> No. >> Okay. You ever seen on TV? >> 48. >> You know you're in the big room when you're in the big room. So, we're in the big room now. You're in the lobby. We appreciate you coming by to help us. No problem. Yeah, at this point honestly we're just trying to close it out. Um trying to figure out what happened. Um Dollar Tree was concerned about some of their money and that's why we're we're okay. So you know what he's talking >> Yeah. My um >> I guess Yeah. She had told you cuz she had asked me that they came anybody reach out to me. I told her no. >> Okay. Until now. Yeah. >> Yeah. So uh when did you actually start working there? >> Um think in June for training. >> June. >> That one story. Yeah. >> And it wasn't at that location, right? No. >> Okay. So, you get there at June and then what happened when uh when did you start working over at the the local one over here? >> Well, I did like 5 weeks in training. So, I probably didn't start there maybe today. Maybe end of July, I'm thinking. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> So, at the end of July, you start working there, >> I think. Yeah. >> And what was your like job title over there? >> A store manager. >> Nice. Right from the get-go. >> Mhm. Training. Well, I mean, >> that's pretty good. >> Yeah. I train I mean I told myself okay what I'm getting into Dollar Tree to start but you know it it was different from what I always prior >> experience. Yeah. >> Yeah. Especially the store that they gave me. So >> and that's the boy store. Oh yeah. Sorry for that. That's typical boy. That's how we get down there. >> And then everyone in there barely spoke English. So >> yes >> that makes it difficult. Um yes. So she was talking about I guess it was six different deposits. But uh what happened with those? Do you do you know which ones they are? >> Um, >> no. >> I guess like August 3rd, 4th, two on the 4th, one on the 7th, and 10th. >> Do you know what happened? Did you deposit the the one she was talking about? >> Like I like I told her, I said whatever deposit they leave in the safe. I think cuz apparently the one manager Okay. Cuz to me, I'm not used to pick taking deposits and take to the bank. So this is my first time ever doing something like that. >> And then when I go to the bank, the teller said I have to drop it in a dropbox. Even though they're there, but I have to drop it in the dropbox. >> Okay. >> So, and there's no care or nothing. So, basically just pull and drop everything in there. So, the days that I'm so between from the weekends for Friday, Friday I leave from Saturday. So, there deposits there from the I guess from the mid managers the night and then Sundays I'm off. So, by the time I come Monday, it'll be multiple deposits in the safe. Okay. >> Which I heard the night manager supposed to drop. She doesn't go drop it. So basically I have to take them and go drop them in the night deposit which I truly do. Like I told Crystal I said well I don't know you know y'all giving me a store one every I mean most everybody don't speak English. Nobody's dropping nothing. I come my first day there was already five bags in the safe. >> So and then yet we have to sign. Majority of them don't sign. So basically I'm signing cuz I'm taking everything like I take everything I drop in a sec in the in the night deposit. I don't know nothing else. This is my first time, >> okay? You know, that's what we're just, >> you know, y seen me, you know, if y'all see me in the camera, >> okay? Like I told her, check the bank cameras. Like, I don't know. >> This is my first time. So, I don't know what was the deal, what's going on, what's missing, >> but you know, like I told her, you know, you could search my car, you could search, you know, I don't, you know, >> no, you you came running. You said, "How can I help?" >> I'm a new person. >> You know, I just started this is I never had this issue. Never had this problem. I worked for City Trans for 5 years. Like, I never had issue. I've been as a store manager. I never dealt with nothing with money. I don't steal money. Why would I take your money to the store now? Y taking deposit. Y s if it's sitting there is an issue. So basically I have to sign a a log which I don't know from previous people whoever whatever issue they had previous from the other managers. All I told her I just take put everything together and drop anything and that's it. >> You know I don't I don't know anything else. So they basically let me go because of my me because of my name of the log. That's pretty much it on that's what she told me. They just going to go ahead and let me go for it. >> What terminated? They >> Yeah. When she they gave me a suspension and then she finally said they made a decision to let me go because I had written broke my name on the law. >> Yeah. At first glance, she came off as the innocent employee who had been unfairly accused by her boss. And honestly, she might have gotten away with it, too, if the officers hadn't already visited the bank earlier. >> So, here's the log that I guess we got. I know it's kind of hard to see. >> Yeah. >> So, you deposited these, but you're saying you dropped them off in like a drop box outside the >> in the Yeah. >> All right. Um, yes. So, I spoke with Crystal. They still don't have any of the deposit slips from from those times. That's why we're just trying to get it figured out. >> How long's it been though since this happened? >> This August. Yeah. >> Oh, yeah. So, they should have got everything. >> They should. Yeah. >> If they're counting like $1 at a time, they should have >> She was saying Yeah. She was saying they were waiting for back from the bank. I don't know. They were waiting for I don't know. >> Yeah. So, I I ended up speaking with the bank as well. We ended up doing subpoenas from the bank. Um, because they're independent. They have nothing to do with this. They'll tell us whether or not they got the money. And the bank is saying they didn't get the money either. >> I don't know. I don't know. It's whatever deposit slip they had in the safe. I just grabbed like from which if you see if it's two signatures or whatever it is and then I put in the in in the deposit in the thing. That's it. >> Okay. Where's the where's the deposit on that on that bank? It's the Teresa what 100 North Congress, right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Cuz is there Cuz with the teller and then there's a box right here. You open it and you just And the inside of the bank? >> No, it was outside at a drive-thru. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Um, what if I said there was no there's no camera footage of you at the bank dropping them off? >> Would that be weird? >> It would be. I mean, it's a bank. It should have cameras. >> Mhm. >> In the drivethru. >> There was cameras. There was cameras at the store, of course, cuz they got it like focused right on the on the on the safe. And has you taken the money like you said you did when you found out? >> We're just trying to make it make sense. >> But in the drivethru, if you pull up and drive through the tell, they should have cameras outside so they can see what cars are in that drive-thru. >> Are you Are you getting out of the car to to put them in the >> Oh, no. I PULL UP IN NO, IN THE CAR. I SAY IN THE CAR. I don't have to get out. Yeah. >> In the car that you're going is just your um the one that's I guess registered to you. >> Which car do you have right now? >> The white car. which is my husband's car. >> Okay. Which car did you have in August when when this happened? Was it the same white car? >> It's it's it's going to be either the white Yeah, white car or then there's a um red vehicle. Well, those my husband's vehicle. >> All right. So, they'd be under your which is your vehicle. It's your husband's vehicle. >> It's under my husband's car. Yeah. >> Okay. Um Yeah, cuz the next thing I'd want to do is reach out to the bank again and just verify that your car was there just so we can get you completely out of this. >> Yeah. I Yeah. I don't. Yeah, cuz I don't get out the vehicle cuz once you pull up, the thing's right there. You just open it, drop, and close and go on. >> Okay. Yeah. So, that would be the next step is we ask for the camera footage again of the vehicle and then we should see your vehicle doing the drop boxes on those days around the time that you put Ray. >> Mhm. >> Okay. All right. So, at no point did you take it for like your own personal gain? Nothing like that. Right. >> No. Okay. >> If I mean you can take my back. I don't have any criminal history of me. mean anything. I mean, well, parking speeding tickets, I mean, that's everybody, you know, that's everybody. But when it comes to theft, what that's not me. I don't Yeah. That's why this right here was very shocking to me. Okay. >> To me, I'm like, I don't take anything. I don't, you know, and then because I was training at the other store, they even I even took deposits there and dropped at the store when I was at training and nothing was missing. So, to me, this is Yeah. >> So, what do you think happened here? >> I have I don't know. I have no clue. I don't know. for one manager she was telling me, you know, it's just like letting me know just be careful in this store. This is pretty much it. Like manager, I don't know why the store managers didn't laugh in that store. I don't know. I I'm just new to Dollar Tree and I never had issues like this. Never had problem like this with money. >> So the before we go talk to anybody, of course, we look up we deal with a good guy or a bad guy. Of course, we looked up your history. You're you're a good guy. You came running to come in here to say, "Hey, I'm coming to talk to you guys. My name's busy, but I want >> you can leave at any time. You making a a statement trying to help us figure this for a better word crazy situation. >> I mean, the same thing I sat down with with Crystal, you know, with Lost Revenge. I was in there with, you know, >> and Crystal had nothing but good to say about you. But she said, we can't figure this out either. >> I listen like I told her I said I don't know. I told her she could search my vehicle. She like look like the bag fell under the car. I I walked out. We looked we check my vehicles. I'm like, I don't HAVE NOTHING. I COME OUT. I AIN'T GOT I DON'T TAKE NOTHING. I don't you know. And who who do you primarily bank with? >> Me. I bank with Wells Fargo. Mhm. >> And then we have Bank of America with my husband. >> Okay. >> One thing was crystal clear to the detectives at this point. She didn't just have sticky fingers. She was also one hell of a liar. Now the officers had to put on their thinking hats and figure out how to get her to tell the truth without her even realizing she was doing it. >> So if we check your bank, there shouldn't be anything crazy like these amounts going into your bank, right? >> My account. No, pretty much. Um No, just like if we check the if we check the banks, we're not going to see deposits of like these amounts into your bank account, right? >> Oh, the total amount of those. Oh, no. >> Um, no. We appreciate you coming in. Um, that's the next step is getting the camera footage and just verifying that you were actually at the bank so we could roll you out. You know what I mean? >> Okay. >> Um, do you have any any other questions? >> So, Crystal, I mean, I'm coming at the tail end, but I hear his conversation with her. She liked you. This heard her having to I mean, she said you were great. I mean, limited time, but she said this is we got very lucky having her as a manager. She doesn't know what happened here. >> In the scheme of things, this is only like $5,000 or $4,000 or something like that. >> Mhm. >> We're busy in Bon. We got other things we need to do. If you guys could maybe figure it out amongst yourselves. >> Mhm. >> Maybe you could find that money that got lost and get it back to him. Something like that. >> I mean, we'll try. I don't know. I'll talk to Chris. We'll >> see what whatever it is. you know, >> at this point it kind of >> because at the end of the day, I understand cuz it's, you know, after we receive the store manager and he's signing off. So, it's basically like it's like my kind of responsibility at the end of the day cuz >> right and then and then >> the bank is saying that the money didn't arrive. >> Um >> the bank hasn't reported any thefts or anything from the dropbox. Nothing suspicious. >> We have you on camera taking the money out and then the money disappears. >> In the scheme of things, you have no criminal history. You come in here to say, "Let's go figure this out." >> Mhm. >> We're not trying to jam you up. >> Mhm. So, if somehow maybe we can make this right with Crystal and she goes, "Okay, we made this right. I don't want to get her a charge. I don't want to mess her up like that. She's good people." >> Oh, yeah. I definitely don't want to mess up my ass, >> right? Cuz you go to apply for another job and then you have a theft charge under a felony theft charge >> and it's probably going to be two felonies with a scheme of defraud and a grand theft. >> They're going to look at that cuz they're going to do a background check like they all do. Like you work at McDonald's as a fry guy. They go, "Do you ever convict a felony?" They do a background check, which is easy to do on the internet. >> Yeah. I'm not trying to tarnish mine back. >> So, if this was a mistake, we all make mistakes. >> Mhm. >> They They got a messed up system. I would get nervous even carrying that money to tell you the truth. >> I don't This is my first time. I don't know why they even do that. Like, they're better off just having like banks come pick up the money instead of having >> You put it all in the safe. >> Yeah. And then they're dealing with different type of banks. Each store have a bank, too. That don't make no sense. But >> they they they they put you in a situation basically that that you weren't looking for. >> No. >> And you made a mistake and mistakes happen. So you made a mistake in this situation and maybe we can make it right with Crystal. >> At the end of the day is, you know, as being store I mean >> I you know >> brainstorm with me. So they put you in this situation. They should have bricks come by. If they have $5,000, >> it cost them $100 to get brings to go pick it up and then you're not out there with money. You're not out there driving your car by yourself, >> potentially going to get robbed or whatever else. They're putting people in the situation. So, shame on them. >> Yeah. >> And they're putting thousands of dollars in people's hands, which is a lot of money >> in the scheme of things. A lot of not a lot of money to them, but it's a lot of money to me and you. >> Yeah. >> Um, so they're they're they're setting themselves up for failure. >> You're a good person. >> You made a mistake. Is there a way we can get this money back to Crystal? >> I don't know. I mean, I barely have anything. I don't know if they want me to do a payment plan or something to give him something that lost. I have no idea. >> What happened to all the money? What did you guys? >> I don't have any. I don't >> You had it and then you spent. What did we spend it on? Where did it go? Why can't we get it back to Crystal? >> Did you end up paying bills with >> But you This ain't $5. That's There's no way I took that type of money. >> Okay, then how much did you take? >> There's no way. I wouldn't even bother taking So the mountain total is the is the 5,000. >> That's That's where we're at right now. >> So, how much how much did you take? It was less than that. Are they Are they patting the numbers here a little bit? >> Probably. >> Yeah, sounds about right. It sounds about what they do. That sounds about you shouldn't even be in this situation, but it's shame on them for putting people in this situation. No wonder they're having problems cuz they're not acting right. They're not acting normal. >> Now, they had her exactly where they wanted her and it was only a matter of time before the truth came spilling out. >> So, when you ended up getting the deposits, what what actually happened with it? What' you do with them? >> Did you go home with it? Did you end up having to pay bills with it? You got got a little behind. So, here's the deposits here. This is what they don't have. And when you add those up, it comes to that amount. >> 65 $5,000 $7,000. >> Mhm. >> Did you get behind on bills? Did you have to pay some home bills for it? You have kids? >> Where did the money go? Maybe you can get on a payment plan with >> No, I don't have any. [ __ ] I'm still behind on rent pretty. But I mean, >> rent is not cheap in the world today. >> No, it's not. >> No, I need to check my time. I didn't buy this my time. >> Yeah, of course. So, they're patting the numbers a little bit. They're they're a mess to begin with. So, maybe it's like 3,000. Maybe that's the payment plan we need to get on. >> Not even. >> So, just why don't you just take us back to the beginning of how how did this even happen? When you take the deposits out of the safe, where did you end up going with the parents? The >> bank. >> You went to the bank or you took them to your bank? >> No. >> No, I don't think No, not to my bank. No. >> Do you take the money out and throw the bags in or what? And if they're trying to play games and add extra money on it, we need to know about that as well. So Nean, we can we can work with we can work with the Dollar Tree and discuss that with them. If you think it's more than what it was, we can always talk to them about it. >> No, it's not. No, I didn't take I didn't take I don't this is not more what it was. I mean, they say this is what they're missing, but >> I think it's like a crazy amount like >> Okay, so let's just take it back to the beginning. All right. So, you get the deposit bags from the safe. They have them on camera that you're taking, which is fine. What would you end up doing? Are you behind on bills and you try to help out with your bills? What' you end up doing with the the money that you took? >> We're just trying to make make sense of it at this point, you know? >> Cuz at the end of the day, I'm not a bad person. >> No. And like I told you, you're criminal. There's nothing. >> You're clean. >> Yes. Um, >> everybody makes mistakes. We've all been >> Yeah, we do. >> I'm not perfect. We do all perfect. So, we all do do mistakes. So, what is Crystal willing to do? >> We'll have to talk to her. I have to give her a call and um try to discuss it with her. Um but right now, I just need >> But I'm not But the thing But yeah, for all that, I'm not taking responsible for all that. That's Yeah, I'm not that crazy of >> No. And and like I said, I'm not saying if you think it's a different route, that's fine. We can discuss that. But right now, we just need to know what actually happened. So, you take the bags. Did did you end up depositing them? Did you end up paying your apartment or did you pay for any of your kids stuff? >> Um I get behind on my bills all the time working here. I have to figure out ways to handle it, you know. >> I was behind one time on my rent. That's pretty much it. >> And this was one of those like, hey, this might help me out just to make it through, right? >> It's pretty much it. >> Which what your husband do for a living? >> He doesn't escaping. >> He has no idea what happened. Okay. No, they didn't speak English. No. >> Okay. >> So, it's just like I said, we we I talked to the bank already. They don't have you on camera. >> They don't have me on camera. >> Not Not during these. That's the That's the issue. So, what happened when you got the deposits? Did you Did you take some of the money out? >> But if I have all the bags together. So, so they're trying to say they don't have me at all depositing the >> No, I'm I'm talking about these transactions. We're Don't even worry about the bank right now. >> Okay. >> So, you get the deposit bags from the safe. You leave uh Dollar Tree. >> Mhm. >> Where do you go with the bags with these bags that are missing? Did you go home with them? >> No. >> Okay. What did you do with them? >> I might have taken out from in from that car heading to the bank. >> You did what? I'm sorry. >> I said I might have taken out out the baby for heading to the bank. It still felt unbelievable to the suspect that she was sitting there telling the detectives exactly what had happened. For someone who had prided herself on covering her tracks, it was almost hard to believe that the cops had managed to get her to spill the tea. >> Yeah, like you took the money out of the bag before doing it to the bank. >> Okay. And then what did you do with the money? >> Is that where the bills come into play? >> Made the money order and paid my rent. >> Okay. Where'd you do the money order at? >> Walmart. >> No, Walmart. Mhm. >> Do a money order and then the money went towards your rent. >> Mhm. >> Okay. And that makes sense. Towards rent. How much is your rent payment? >> 28. >> 28 for an apartment. Oh my gosh. >> Mhm. >> See, it's it's difficult anywhere right now. Um would you want to write an apology letter to Dollar Tree where we could deliver it to them? >> Yeah. Okay, >> didn't have anything bad to say about you. >> She's very nice. >> She's just trying to get it figured out cuz, you know, she's going to be responsible for what's going on, too. But >> I just want to make it super clear for the camera purposes and everything, too. So, you got the bags. You take the money out of the bags. You go to the Walmart off military, the neighborhood Walmart. You get a money order and then you paid your apartment. You're ran with it. No. >> Okay. Do you still have all the money bags and everything? >> No. >> What' you do with the money bags? >> Okay. >> They got more. Don't worry. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, the um raise your right hand for me. Do you remember the truth? >> Yes. >> Okay. You put your hand down. All right. All right. So, the next step would be uh we would take you into custody for theft right now. Okay. >> So, >> we'll go up to our office. We'll make it easy. We're not going to put you in a cell here, but we're going to do the paperwork. >> Okay. And then after that, >> I'm sorry. >> No, we'll end up taking you to the jail at some point. You'll go to your first appearance and they'll probably release her with no criminal history. >> Yeah. They'll take you to do fingerprints. We'll take a picture. >> Then later on, you'll get a court date. You'll get a court hearing. That's when you can explain your site. If you don't think it was that amount, then you can argue that it wasn't that that much money and all that. Okay. But I'll also call Crystal and verify the thing, too. >> Okay. >> All right. >> So, it's not the end of the road. It's not the end of the world. It's just you have to deal with this. You made a mistake. You have no history of this. You know, maybe it'll just be a money thing and then >> Okay. So, do I have to go on my job? >> When do you supposed to work? >> Uh 3:30 today. >> 3:30. >> Mhm. >> Okay. Call and tell them you're sick or >> Yeah. I mean, you can tell them whatever you want. Just give me a take your uh your purse off and any jewelry that you have. >> Hold on to it. Put your phone in the purse for me. I'm going to hold on to it as I just go upstairs and I'll get back to you. >> We'll get this paperwork done as quick as we can to get you uh >> you're a normal person. It's not a normal situation. That's why we're just explaining everything to you. Okay. >> Just like this. It makes it easy. Okay, I got you first. I'm going to walk up with you. Um, so think about it. We need to call. We need to probably call work. We need to call and husband that he has spare keys for the car. You want to leave the car here? >> Uh, he doesn't know I have the keys. He doesn't have a spare key. >> Okay. She was eventually charged with felony grand theft and felony schemes of def fraud. Just like Nellen, who put her job on the line when she decided to betray her employer's trust, Chambers had his hand caught in the cookie jar when he tried to get it dipped into his employees earnings. >> Did you take $1,600? >> No. >> Why did you tell the other manager that you did, sir? >> Oh, so so let's be straight with each other. Did you take that money? >> Yes, I did. >> Okay. On August the 22nd, 2025, dispatch got a call from a Family Dollar storeing that one of their employees, Chambers, had swiped some money. When they arrived, they quickly started to interrogate the manager, but nothing prepared them for the shocking details she was about to reveal. >> Hi, Offic Police Department. God, y'all. Um, so my boss had me call y'all. Chambers stole a deposit in the amount of $1,600. They wanted y'all to pick him up and arrest him. >> Is there proof that he stole it? >> We have proof on camera that he stuck the deposit in his pocket on Sunday. I have saw it. My boss saw it and lost prevention have saw it. >> He's about to run. I can tell you that. Hold on just a moment. >> Okay. Say his last name was >> What's his name? >> Ma'am. >> What's his name? >> What's his name? He knows your car because of him. >> Yeah. >> How much was his birthday? >> 1643 and change. >> Do you know his birthday or anything? >> Uh, I have to look it up. Hey, the police is here. Um, can we email this video to them? Cuz they want to see where he put their legs in his pocket. But I'm going to let them see it, but they want to email it. >> Yeah, we're going to have to say it off. >> He said it can't be emailed. >> Can y'all put it on a flash drive? >> Yeah, that's what he just said. A flash drive. Okay, that's fine. No, I don't. Okay, they're about to talk to him pretty soon. I'll watch the video again and I got to get it uploaded for Okay, our captain's on the way. Uh, I don't want to go to the back and him run out the front and he's not fully certified yet. So, I don't want something to happen to you just in case. >> I'm the biggest guy ever that >> is. That's not the point. It's more so >> liability. >> Yeah. I don't want you to have to >> I don't want to have this type of abuse. >> Uh, have y'all spoke with him? What has he said? >> I spoke with him on I just talked him into coming back in. He said he took it. Um >> Oh, he admitted to taking it. >> He told my boss no, but we saw it. He called me outside. He said he took it. If they'll give him an option to pay it back on Tuesday, he will. They don't want to give him an option. They wanted him arrested. So, >> okay. What makes you think he's going to run? >> Oh, he told me he was going to run. He said he wasn't going to stay here and go to jail. He's been in prison before. >> You know what he's in for? How was >> he admitted to you this morning? >> Yes, he just admitted it about 10 minutes ago. >> What did he say? >> He said that he Good morning. He said >> Captain. >> Hey, Captain. >> How are you? >> I'll rebel if I have to deal with y'all. >> He admitted it to her that he was he said he took you. Where is he at? >> He's in the chambers before. Okay. >> Okay. Um, did he admit it to you? >> He just told me out here that he took it. He said he's not going to tell my boss cuz he don't want to lose his job. They saw on the camera at 8:44 on Sunday morning, he wrote the bag up and put the bag in his pocket. >> He left here at a little bit before 3:00. He told us that he took the deposit to the bank, but another one of my employees picked him up. She dropped him off at the airport, >> a motel or something. tell. >> Okay. So, he said he took it. He said he couldn't help himself. He got back on >> offered to pay it back. >> He said he'll pay it back on Tuesday, but they don't want to. >> There's nothing I can do. >> Yeah, we can't do that. Have you seen the video of it? >> Uh, no. I didn't want to leave up here with you. >> You want my boss number? >> Aaron, >> what's his name? >> To your right. is walking. >> Armed with the information about the manager, they decided to talk to the thieving employee. For a second, they let themselves wonder if the suspect was truly a cold-hearted thief or just another substance addict who needed saving from his own self. >> Hey, Mr. Chambers. Yes, sir. >> Um, we'd like to speak with you. Okay. >> You know what in reference to? >> Yes, ma'am. >> Did you take $1,600? No. >> Why did you tell the other manager that you did, sir? >> I don't know. Ro, you got >> there's a video. >> No, sir. Okay, you don't mind? I'll patch you down real quick. You ain't got a box cut or nothing. Let me patch you down. >> Rodri, it's on video, so be straight with me, dude. I know you done been to prison. I know I know all that. >> Yeah. >> And and we we want this to go smoothly. We ain't want We ain't want anything more than to handle our business. Okay, dude. >> Yes, sir. >> I I've been doing this a long time and I I understand that people get in positions. Okay. >> Yes, sir. >> And and I understand that you may have Okay. Is that true, Roger? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. So, so let's be straight with each other. >> Did you take that money? >> Yes, I did. >> Okay. What I want you to do is turn around here and let this young man put some handcuffs on you and we're going to ease out and go to my office. Okay? >> All right. With no issues, that's a big old man. Be sure you double lock them cuffs so they don't set down on project. Where you staying at? >> My mom. >> You can call her. >> Who's your mom? 64850. >> Put him in the car. There you go. In the end, he was charged with felony grand theft. While other desperate employees had a penchant for stealing a few thousand, this Subway employee dealt her employer a serious blow when she made away with a jaw-dropping $20,000 in 6 months. >> I gave you my store keys. I trusted you. And guess what? You robbed me for over and over and over. >> So basically a six-month period, correct? >> Okay. So obviously you know you're fired. >> Yes. >> On May the 31st, 2023, Florida police got a call from a Subway manager about an employee caught stealing from the cash register. They showed up and immediately proceeded to question her, not expecting the stunt she was about to pull. How you doing? Good. >> Are you okay? What's going on with your face? >> Yeah, I have some kind of skin thing. I've been going to the doctor. >> I uh Excuse me. I need my store key, please. For safety. >> What did I do? >> At this moment, they realized she was a cunning one, playing smart and figning confusion. But they were in no mood for games. They quickly refreshed her memory, reminding her of what she had done and the consequences of her actions. But her next move, well, that was one no one saw coming. >> You know, I have the daughter. >> Please don't send me to jail. >> Anna, >> you can get I'm not saying nothing. >> Give me Give me a few minutes. >> Yes, we have evidence for 3 years. >> 3 years? No. Are you out of your mind? Okay. So, right now, um, you are going to get arrested. Okay. I need to speak to you because this has been going on for a while. Completely up to you if you want to speak to me or not. >> Okay. But I I >> Hold on. Let me finish. If you do want to speak to me and you have an explanation for whatever it is that you may have done, I'm going to read you your rights and we'll go from there. Just to get kind of like a baseline if you this is kind of like your chance that you get to explain before you go to >> Okay. >> Can I just ask please? I don't know how to listen to my daughter after school. >> That's that's we will talk about that later too. Well, >> you have been told for last year I reminded you corporate on the watch. Before that I explained you corporate is on the watch. Please do not do one minute caching. I have evidence and piles and piles and piles and piles of evidence with detailed note and corporate is this is me right now. Corporate is coming after me for you. That's all I have to say. Can you >> not send me to jail for my daughter? >> You've been told before nobody else. >> I Excuse me. I told you you had a past record. I worked my >> I worked hard for 6 years to drag you out of that. You had all whatever felonies you have. You did not listen. I gave you my store keys. I trusted you. And guess what? You robbed me for over and over and over. I not >> he's been recorded now. >> No, no, no. You >> step out. Step out. >> Just so you know, you've been recorded. >> No matter what happens, I I have a 5-year-old dog, six, sevenyear-old daughter, >> okay, >> that needs to be picked up. And I have nobody else. >> Okay. >> Regardless of what happened, I don't know how. >> Okay. Can we resolve this away without taking you to jail? >> Unfortunately, it is not up to me. >> It's up to them. >> Okay. >> Yep. So, there is a lot that we need to talk about. >> All right. And I cannot force you to talk to me. We can have a conversation, maybe get a better understanding why this happened if you want to, but I have to read you rights. Okay, simple because I'm going to be asking questions. All right. All right. So, the first right you have is you have the right to remain silent and not answer any any questions. Number number two, any statement you make must be freely and voluntarily given. Number three, you have the right to the presence and representation of a lawyer of your choice before you make any statements and during any question. Number four, if you cannot afford a lawyer, you are entitled to the presence and representations of a poor appointed lawyer before you make any statements and during any question. Number five, if at any time during the interview you do not wish you do not wish to answer any of my questions, you are privileged to remain silent. Do you understand your rights? Okay. Do >> you want to speak to me? >> This was the moment she'd been waiting for. No matter how much evidence her boss claimed to have, she was determined to talk her way out of it. But the real question was, how was she going to pull it off? >> I have never like intentionally done anything wrong to hurt you, >> Mr. Vania, I need you to step out, please. We cannot do this back and forth thing. If you're going to keep doing this, then I cannot do an interview. I I I don't know what he's talking about like for 3 years and stuff. >> Okay. >> No, I I've >> How long How long? To the best of your >> stealing. I don't feel like I've been stealing. >> You don't feel like you So what exactly you feel like she treats us very unfairly? >> Okay. What is >> all of us? >> What is unfairly to you? >> I like there one girl who's been working here six years. She still makes the minimum wage. like he like he doesn't give us any appreciation and I've been here a long time and I I know I don't mean to sound come off you know like as excuses and anything but he's a hard man to work for >> right >> and I've never I never like intentionally meant to like I never like in my mind like stole anything >> okay >> I just feel like we're all treated so unfairly And >> so what >> I mean >> what do you think happened when you're pocketing money >> or when you're taking money from the register or when you're not bringing stuff up and then later on adjusting >> I understand but it wasn't a lot. >> Okay. >> And I didn't mean I I know that doesn't but >> it's it's it's fair. So just to get a time frame. Listen, it's a lot. It's a lot. A video is a lot that you have been done and you know it. And I am not judging you by >> doing I understand. I understand. It might not have been for years, but it's been going on for months. >> Okay. So approximately to your best recollection, I'm not trying to for you to snitch on yourself, but to the best of your recollection, if you can pinpoint how long ago this started happening, >> months. >> Months. Before Christmas of last year or around Christmas >> after >> after Christmas. >> Yeah. >> So like the beginning of this year? >> Yeah. If Yeah. >> Like I mean >> January 8 years. I'm I'm not that type of person. I'm just sad. And >> so you always kept the same schedule, correct? >> Yeah. >> All right. So, for the most part, >> Tuesday to what day? Saturday. >> What do you mean? >> Tuesday to Saturday. >> Tuesday work. Yeah. >> Tuesday to Saturday. >> From 8 to 3:00 p.m. >> 2:30. >> Definitely. Yes. >> Yeah. Okay. If you started taking money, what was the initial amount that you were taking that you can recall? >> A couple dollars. >> A couple dollars is what? Like $2? >> Yeah, like $5. >> $5. It started with $5. >> Yeah. I mean, >> was it every day back then in January? >> No. >> No. >> When did it become every day? >> I was doing it every day. I mean, it was a dollar here to or here. here and there, you know, and I didn't get an attention. >> Were we only talking about a dollar a month? Like $1,2? >> I didn't take like 20s and >> big amounts. I didn't. >> Nobody mentioned 20s, but you did take 20s. >> No, I would go and get change a lot. >> Okay. All right. >> I'm not going to argue with you. I'm trying >> I understand >> for you to tell me a little bit to help me out. Help yourself out. >> I know. I'm trying. But I didn't like steal a lot like at the time. It was little amounts and it was >> So we're now basically June. So basically a 6-mon period. Correct. >> All right. Let's say if you were taking $5 per day, $10 per day, $20. >> That adds up. >> Okay. How much do you think you have stolen from the store in total? >> Not a lot. >> Not a lot. >> Now, whenever there's a cash transaction, I'm just looking at the patterns here. The questioning was beginning to get intense and she knew she had to be cautious, choosing her words carefully and saying as little as possible. It seems to me like whenever there's a cash transaction, you don't ring up the cash transactions, you either ring it up, you cancel it, you don't ring it up, you leave, you put the money in, provide change, you split that amount into the tip jar, you take some cash then or a combination of both or later on you come back and take cash. So, it's a lot. >> Maybe I didn't realize I I don't mean I I didn't think I was doing it at all. I >> It's been every day for the past at least for the past month, >> it's only it hasn't been that much. Not that it makes a difference, but it I mean I don't take a lot at a time and I I know that doesn't make a difference. a day >> over time. >> How much do you take a day? >> $10. >> $10. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> When she saw her tactic wasn't working, she pulled another trick out of her bag, desperate to save herself. But she was about to learn the hard way. Play with fire and you're bound to get burned. >> You know, please can we handle this without actually arresting me? I've done so much for you, too. Did you give him his feedback? >> Tino, please don't do this to me. I don't know how to pick up my daughter. It's my daughter. That's what I'm worried about. >> You were told You were told many times what you have done is enough damage to me. It's all It's totally 19,000 plus. >> No, is it? There's no a corporate will come after you and I this is my first time >> and we handle this within court date or something. Please >> please have my keys and I got to go. >> Please Tino, I'm begging you. I don't know what to do about my daughter. I'm going to have an anxiety attack. Please. >> She thought about that before. >> I didn't mean to hurt you, Tino. I am I am 100% honestly sorry. >> I'm trying, but you keep interrupting. So, step outside. I'll get you. Are you okay? You want you want an ambulance? >> Huh? >> No. >> Can you breathe? >> I don't know how I'm going to pick up my daughter. I have nobody out. I mean, I will leave. I will handle it court. I will do whatever needs to be done. >> You know, I'm begging you. Please don't. >> I have no idea what to call. This is law and order. It's not my fault. >> He said it was up to you if I if we can handle it differently. Please, you know, I've shown up every day for you for eight years and this has just started recently and I apologize from the bottom of my heart. My daughter, I have I can't do this to my daughter. Please, Tina, can we handle this a different way besides sending me to jail? >> You do what you do. I I cannot be interrupted for I get in trouble if I get interrupted. No. >> Would you would you allow me to not go to jail and we can handle it with some other kind meino? I've done so much too for you. I've been loyal to you and I apologize. >> Loyal to you? How? >> Mr. Evans, >> you pick up your stuff and go or I'm going to have to you take care of it. Okay, let's go. >> Tino, please don't send me to jail. I don't know what to do with my daughter or anything. I'm begging you, Tino. I will go to court and pay it all back. >> Tino, please. Oh my god. I can't handle this with some kind of birthday or something. >> I don't think you can I don't think it could be an agreement for you to repay all this money back. >> I don't I don't I don't see the amount. >> What's that? I just I'm concerned about picking up my daughter >> from No, I don't have anybody else from Boys and Girls Club where she's at. And she's also she's already going through all this anxiety and stuff. She I got nobody to watch her. Nobody. I mean, it's just me and her, and I don't know how else to Isn't there any way we could somehow handle it without taking me to jail? I'm sorry. I don't even have anyone to help me. How long would I have to stay in jail for? Like, did I >> go out? >> How long does that take? hours. Okay. So, let me ask you this last question. Throughout the time that you've been here, you think you sold more than $750? >> $750? I don't think so. >> You don't think so? >> I guess I have. I I guess I I don't think I think some of the times when you see me taking 20s, it was exchanging money. >> Okay. >> So, >> I don't I didn't think >> the exchange the exchange does happen. The problem is you're not putting in what you're taking off. >> One thing was obvious now. She knew exactly what she was doing. Stealing and covering her tracks, but this time she wasn't getting away with it. >> So, that's not an exchange. >> No. >> How is that an exchange? But I I take I do I know but I don't teach >> you know you know you're >> you know the game you're playing so how to handle this my daughter right now isn't there a way we can handle this out of jail >> sorry >> if Tino said so that I've been able Yeah, I asked him many times. >> I can't believe he's doing this. Is what I I mean I I understand the issue, but this is what I mean. He treats us all so badly. All of us. And honestly, I' I've told him I was going to start looking for another job because all of us feel so walked all over by him. And I understand that's no that's no >> to the hospital. >> I'm going to have an anxiety attack. >> Okay. What's an anxiety attack? >> Just where I don't know what to do. >> Does it allow you to breathe? >> I I faint. >> Do you faint? Do you feel like you pass out? >> I don't know. >> Do you want to get checked out? >> I don't know. You're only delaying it by doing that. But I can get you. >> I know. I don't want to delay it. Can I >> Do you want an ambulance? >> Take one of my medications. >> I can't allow you to take any meds because I don't know what they are. I'm not a doctor. I'm not going to start doing all this. Yes. Take it. Yes or no? Because I don't know. >> I know. But then I'm going to go into >> All right. Let me get you 16. >> I'm just like boggled. I don't know what to do. I don't know how to take care of my daughter. I don't know. I'm going to try to ask her, but my daughter's going to be traumatized is what I'm really, really worried about. She's going to be afraid that, like I said, she just lost her father to cancer unexpectedly. We didn't know he had it and he went into the hospital. And I don't want her to I'm already having problems with her. She I mean bad bad problems. Tina, can I please talk to you for a minute? Can I please talk to you please? Can I talk to you just for >> please? I don't know what to do with my child. That's who I'm worried about. >> Do you have Do you have a friend? >> What? >> Do you have a friend? No, I don't have >> you have lawsuit. I mean, he says it's 19,000. >> There's no way. There is no way. There's absolutely. >> So, that's why I ask you, you give me an estimate how much you think you've stolen. >> Not nowhere near that. >> Then how much? >> A few couple hundred over 6 months. I would take like $20 a day. >> $20 a day >> or so. Yeah. I mean, I know that's not correct. That's not the right thing to do, but I did not steal $19,000. >> Listen, that's what he's going to claim. So, that's why I'm asking. >> That's the way he does things. He's the most rotten person I've ever met. I can't believe he's doing this to me right now. >> Okay. So, obviously, you know, you're fired. >> Yes. worse trespassing. I don't know if has to do anything with Walmart. These are are very very expensive. In the end, she was charged with grand theft and eventually received a 2-year prison sentence. That woman was a rare mix of dumb and manipulative, but she was nothing compared to Tyrone, an airsoft range immigrant employee who thought he was a genius, setting up a foolproof scam to quietly pocket cash and managed to steal thousands from his employers. Didn't you send me Didn't you write me a note telling me that I was the best boss you ever had? >> I I took the um tip money. >> Okay. Took you took the tip money. You know what else? >> Oh, I guess I was telling them guys give me the tip and I let him shoot. >> We're just getting secured. Okay. Like you're praying. There you go. >> On March the 30th, 2023, cops got a call from an airsoft range manager about an employee named Tyrone who'd been skimming thousands from the tip jar. When they showed up, the manager was already in the guy's face calling him out. That was just the beginning. Things were about to get a whole lot messier. >> I look like this. >> Yeah, but this But you know that you're being recorded and that you still do this. >> Haron, the evidence is here. We have video. You've been doing it since February. >> Can we talk to you? Can we talk to you, sir? Can we talk to him? >> Yeah. Yeah, I got another come back on here. Have a seat. You guys want a seat, Ty? You can look that over. While you do that, um, now hold a card for me cuz I want you to follow me. Follow along with me. So um you aware what I'm doing. I'm going to read you your constitutional rights and then we're going to have a discussion. Okay. All right. First of all, right on the front, you got a right to remain silent, not answer any questions. Okay? You understand that? >> Yes. >> Okay. Number two, any statement you make must be freely and voluntarily given. Number three, you have the right to the presence and representation of a court appointed lawyer of your choice. I'm sorry. A lawyer of choice before you make any statement or doing any questioning. I'm on number four now. >> Hold on one second. >> Drive. >> When I had to leave you enough to tell you to lock the safe, >> let me finish this real fast. >> Let me finish. I'm sorry. I had to pause for a second. I thought you were calling it. Okay, I'm on number four. >> If you cannot afford a lawyer, you are entitled to the presence and representation of a court appointed lawyer. Before you make any statements and during any questioning, okay, I'm on number five. If at any time during this interview, you do not wish to answer any more questions, you are privileged to do so. You don't have to. Okay? I can make no threats or promises to induce you to make a statement. This must be your own free will. And number seven, the last one. Any statement you make can and will be used against you in the court of law. Okay. Any >> of your constitutional right you want me to repeat? >> No. You're good. >> Cuz I >> Well, everything's on camera, boss. I wouldn't be here. >> We have all the camera. >> I wouldn't be here if uh we didn't have problem calls to be here. Okay, >> Tyrone, how I understand this. When I told you that you're being watched and listened to 24/7, you still did it. And you thought that you were clever. You weren't. But I'm so disappointed in you. I have treated you like a human being and like you're a part of my family. Didn't you send me Didn't you write me a note telling me that I was the best boss you ever had? >> Yeah, but I ain't take nothing. >> Tyrone, >> I didn't go in the safe. I didn't steal nothing. >> It's on video. >> You sure was me? >> No, it's you. Tyrone, do you want me to show you one of the videos? I >> let me show you a video, honey. >> I just I don't understand. Why on earth would you do that when you know that you watched >> like Oh, I my favorite one though was with the Spanish people that you had. >> Oh, I totally drill. I didn't miss it. >> Listen, Tyrone, >> it's all tap dude. >> It's all on video. Tyrone, >> you're telling them to put the $40 in the tip jar, but then you didn't ring them up in the cash register. >> You pocketed the $40. >> That's not >> All right, Tyrone. Listen, it's all on tape, man. So >> So I got paid back. >> No. Tell me about Tell me Tell me what happened. Give me the big Give me the big picture cuz I wasn't here. I got videotaped. I always Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Always believe in three sides of the story, right? that side, the other side did the truth. So, this is your opportunity to tell me the truth or just submit everything and then you see the video tape like I saw. So, what happened? >> At this point, he had a chance to fess up and make things easier on himself. Instead, he dug in his heels, making it clear he wasn't going to give up that easily. He knew that he had a lot to lose if it was eventually proven that he was in actual fact stealing from his employers. >> I didn't do nothing. All I said is put in a tent draw. Okay. >> This I didn't go to cash still. I didn't go to safety still. >> You just said right now what? I got to pay it back. You just said that. >> If I got to pay, I pay it back. >> Okay. Okay. So, what does that say? >> That but I just >> Come on, man. We're all grown here. >> Oh, man. >> And everything's on videotape. That That is suicide intelligence. >> No, I'm not a No, I'm just saying by by telling us stuff like that. No one got videotape. You just said, "What? I got to pay it back. If I got to pay, >> I'm an honest. So if I got I appreciate that. >> I got to pay it back. >> Okay. I appreciate. So So that that's saying what? >> You got to pay it back. >> If I didn't steal from I like take it out though, you know. >> Well, was on camera, man. >> Here's your opportunity, Tyrone. >> Tyrone, my check. >> Hold on. Tyrone, here here's your chance. Here's your chance. Because this is all recorded. So when I present it to the judge, if it goes that route, hey judge, yeah, he was working with me. Or hey, judge, you ain't working with me. >> No, I I took the um tip money. >> Okay. Took you took the tip money. You know what else? >> Uh you got more tape, man. You see those? You're holding the dates. You're holding the dates right in front of you. You think that's an accident? >> You got to read carefully what that says, Tyrone. >> You think that's an accident? >> Each one of those dates are on videape. I told you, Tyrone, do you know that they actually count and I found this out. They actually count how many magazines we sell in one day. >> I know I was shooting. >> They count Listen, they count the amount of customers that come in on a daily basis. Tyrone, that's what they do. >> Okay. So, so back back to you took the tip money and you see the dates. Tell me what happened, man. Help me write a a love story, not a tragedy. It's all there, dog. >> Good. >> You seem like a nice guy. Let me help you. >> Help me help you. >> Georgees like honesty. >> Yeah, I was. But I don't see how >> hate it. You're the only one here, man. It's on tape. I I'm trying to I'm trying to help you. Help me help you. You want to stick with that? Good luck. >> No, I'm not sticking to But I don't see how I took this much. >> Okay. >> So, what' you take? Um, what the tip money they gave me? That's it. But I didn't >> daylight. >> So what happened? What happened on those days, Tyrone? Tell me what happened then. >> How did they get those figures? >> Show you headaches. >> Now the N I remember the $40. Okay. >> Okay. What day was that? >> That was what? Last week. >> No. No. You got the dates right there in front of you. >> But they don't show the $40. >> Okay. She just showed you a video tape from one of those days. And it's you. It's only you, dog. >> But yeah, but the um two the hundreds, I never took none of that. As the interrogation dragged on, keeping up his defenses got tougher by the minute, but his confidence was cracking. It was only a matter of time before the truth came spilling out. >> Okay, so what did you take? >> I never took the 240. >> Okay, so what did you take? It's like >> the second of the >> February. Uhhuh. >> When I told I told um a couple people to put this give me a tilt. So this right here is true. But this right here the >> Okay, let's go back to a second then. You said that's true. What's true about that? >> Oh, I guess I was telling you guys give me the tip and I let him shoot. But that's >> you supposed to ring that up. >> Once the money go tip drive was mine. So I didn't put it in though. They didn't. >> Okay. But what about the charging the guys to shoot though? >> You didn't you didn't you didn't charge them. So they paid you though, but you didn't charge them. So you put the money in your pocket instead of putting in the register, right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So you don't think that's stealing? Tip is usually when they pay for the product and then they leave you a little extra something for your service, you know? That's what tipping is. Okay. All right. Like I said, man, it's all on tape, man. >> I mean, if if they want to pay back, but I don't see >> Yeah, they want they want to be paid back. Yeah. >> Hey, Daryl. Hey, buddy. >> I was just saying, "Hey." Hey, what's up? So basically what once they get the first one, I don't owe that much. >> Well, it's going to be up to Michelle and the company, you know. >> Once I get the first payment, I don't owe that much. >> They're saying you owe all of it. >> You owe. It says 11.40. >> So wait a minute. So So if you're doing it one day and they catch you and you say, "Okay, yeah, I did that $80." So they're using the same cameras in the same system and the same way. I know what you're saying. Yeah. So let me finish then. So why don't you think they would want the rest of their money? >> I know what >> that doesn't make sense, right? >> No, but I know what you're saying. But like for me to steal, I didn't go with nothing. I didn't want to save or nothing. But I didn't feel they was like stealing cuz they they were put in the tip of me. >> Okay. So, >> like I said, man, it's all on tape. >> All right. >> It's all on tape. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't. This is your opportunity to tell us what happened. You know, that's that's why we're giving you this opportunity. >> Yeah. >> Okay. But, uh, we have enough. >> We do. You know that, right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> But, guess let me um let me talk to Michelle. That's going to be the minimum. Okay, then we'll go from there. Okay. >> With the truth finally out, it hit him. He couldn't keep getting away with stealing forever. And as for the consequences, he was about to face them head on. >> Yeah. You got to going to have to get your book, man, charge you with that. Okay. >> A >> Yeah. Breaks my heart. >> All right. >> You need me to sign this? >> Yes, please. I got to stay. >> Yeah, sure. Oh, so I I can um >> What's up? I know you take the bus. Go ahead. What are you going to say? What are you going to say? >> I'm about the housekeeping. Um I still got to get my girlfriend. >> She can come up here and get him and she make it up here. >> Just leave it with me. >> She don't. >> Where are you going to What are you going to tell her to come down to gun club and get him? >> Cuz he'll just process it. >> I'm not sure what >> Yeah, you got to get booked, man. They said a felony amount, you know. Yeah. It's over 750, but we can do anything. >> Yeah. Yeah. All right. Go ahead and stand up for a minute. I'm going to pat you down. Make sure you ain't got nothing. Okay. You go sit down on the chair for me. Give me your phone, too, please. Thanks. >> That's all right. I'll let you do that. Hey, >> you got two cell phones. >> Okay. That's Sigs. >> Yeah, >> the old school. That's Newport. >> I'll put that in front of you so you can see it. >> Got to kiss that goodbye. Anyway, >> get some gold, man. That's gold. I saw gold on you. Yeah. Go ahead and put it in that pile. I'm going to keep it safe for you. >> Yeah. We'll get it for you. We'll put it in the bag for you. >> Got it. All right. Let your girl get all >> Yeah, we let I'll let you call. We're just getting you secured. Okay. Pull like you're praying. There you go. That's how I do it. >> That's good. >> You can do it upstairs and watch. >> Yeah, we do it upstairs. 52 blackmail 105. >> I'll go take Come with us. Come with us. I got you. >> Yeah. You can't keep the lighter. >> No. No. >> What about the C? >> Yeah. I want to see it. >> But your girls can pick that up though. The girl can pick that up. >> Pick up everything. >> Yeah. Yeah, you should get the lighter, too. the security office and >> right I hate to put you in the garbage. I'll put a secret later. Now, >> he was charged with a grand theft charge and ended up deported. Up next is Cameron who thought he could raid his employees cash drawers just because he was having money troubles. >> Uh folding money in your hand and instead of putting it into money counter, you slipped into your pocket. >> Is that accurate? >> Okay. Is there a reason why this was happening or you >> It was just like financial hardships. >> Okay. You back how much money roughly? >> They're they're estimating 10,000. >> 10,000. Yeah. >> Take out. Do you have >> I just got keys and a phone and a wallet. >> Key phone. Okay. >> On December the 19th, 2023, police got a call from a Target store reporting that one of the managers had been helping himself to cash from several registers under his watch. They rushed to the store and went straight to talk to the suspect, never expecting the shocking response he was about to give them. 513. >> How you doing? >> Office kind of briefly inform me of what was going on >> today. And in order for me to talk to you, I need to read you your rights. >> All right. With your uh rights in mind, do you wish to talk to me today? >> Yeah, that's fine. >> Okay. So, I was notified by Target that apparently over the course of your employment, there's a lot of cash registers that were turned up short. Okay. >> And that they have video surveillance of you uh folding money in your hand and instead of putting it into money counter, you slip it into your pocket. Yeah. >> Is that accurate? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Is there a reason why this was happening? Are you >> It was just like financial hardships. Um and then it turned into a bad habit that should have subsided long long ago or never even started. But yeah, that's all it stemmed from. >> Okay. Do you happen to have a problem? Cuz we do have like core we have programs to get people. >> Nothing addictive. >> Okay. >> Nothing like that. Just needed to get out of a hole and then it stuck with a bad habit really. >> Okay. Um, do you roughly know about how much it's been going on for the past, you know, almost a year or 6 months? >> Um, I I believe it was 6 months since I started. That's when I bought my house. That's when I needed to >> um finalize some things that >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. You about how much money roughly? >> They're they're estimating 10,000. >> 10,000. Yeah. >> Okay. Do you think it might be a little bit more than that? Cuz I know it's about 10,000 only in the last 2 months. two months. >> Yeah. The last two last uh 30 to maybe 90 30 I would say 30 to 60 days is about just over 9 grand. >> Wow. Yeah. Not that I'm aware of. Like I told them I I when I received it I I spend it on on like materials and stuff cuz I'm remodeling my house. So >> Okay. >> Nothing that I'm aware of. >> Okay. Understandable. You married sir? >> Just engaged. Got kids. Yeah. >> Okay. How many kids do you have? Um, technically two. >> Okay. >> Biological or >> No. >> Okay. >> All right. Um, >> yeah. You have anything you'd like to add? >> No. If you What I would do is the whole statement form if he wants to >> Well, they have a an admission form here. Can I see that? >> Is this uh your form, sir, that you uh you signed out? >> If you can read it. Hey, sorry. >> Okay. And this is just your signature here statement. Okay. >> Okay. Let's see if I can get a copy of that. >> All right, sir. Well, today you you are going to be placed under arrest. >> Okay. You'll be able to bond out of the jail and then from there it's with your attorney speaking with the state's attorney and target on working out some type of agreement in order for paying back and you can go and see what the charges are going to be. Sure. >> Okay. They could reduce the charges. They can drop the charges. As long as most likely the money is paid back to Target and Target agrees to accept the money before it goes to trial, then they can always drop the case with the state's attorney's office. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, that's something you can definitely work out. >> Mhm. >> All right. Do you have any questions for me? >> No, sir. No. >> Do you have any questions for Target? >> No, not that I'm aware of. >> Okay. So, you are you do understand you are um fired from the store? >> Yep. >> Okay. Is he trespassed from the store? Yes. >> Okay. And you are being trespassed from the store as well. Okay. It means you cannot come back to the store property unless you actually speak with somebody from the store and then they lift it. But in order for them to lift it, they have to contact us because it's going to be documented that you are trespassed. >> While the officers were laying out their instructions, they couldn't help but be surprised by his honesty. A stark contrast to the usual reaction of thieves when caught red-handed. But that wasn't about to stop them from making their next move. >> Okay. >> From just this location or every location. this location. >> Okay. Yeah. So, if you'd like to come back to this target, then you make sure you get in touch with management and management has to call us to cancel the trespass. >> That's fine. You look at me real quick. I need a picture for the trespass. >> All right. Stand up for me. >> Well, before you do you have anything in your pocket you like to take out? Do you have >> I just got keys and a phone and a wallet. >> Key phone. Okay. >> Take it out. >> No. Uh, no knives or anything. >> Nothing harmful. Take off this watch. >> And we're going to take off this watch. Okay. So that way we have some room and you're not getting cut off circulation. Okay. >> And it doesn't damage your watch. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. Place the back of your phones like that. >> Close. I wait for the gloves to do. >> I got nothing gross in there. >> No, you just listen. In this line of work, you you've seen it all. >> I just don't put my hands in people's pockets. So, I got gloves on. >> Just walk and then I'll hold the door open. >> Right here. Yep. Space this guy right in front of that. >> Sure. >> Okay. Let's grab some. >> Yeah, I got it. >> So I don't run away. >> Right. >> I'm not worried about the running part. >> I'm not worried about the running either. >> No, no. We do a lot of scenarios with tasers. And trust me, I'm pretty accurate. So I doubt that you would run away from from me at least. I don't know if I am. >> Did you guys get tased? >> I'm fairly fast. >> I'm fairly fast. Okay. So, you know how it feels like. You don't want to taste somebody else yet. But if we got you, we got you. >> Not that bad. >> All right. We'll try on you later. >> Do you guys need anything? >> Nope. We're good. >> Thank you. >> All right. I take this opportunity to let people know that we make decisions in life when they're not great. We'll learn from them. And that's the important thing. And I hope that regardless of what happens, you learn from this today and what you've done and the >> consequences that come with this. >> Yeah, this one's going to me up though cuz I want I was going in the fire service so we got to figure it out. Maybe you can work it out with something. >> I hope so. But so but that's what I've been >> the only job that I've wanted to do and then do like this. >> Yeah. >> But regardless if if it works out, if it doesn't work out, you'll have a story to tell and got to make better decisions than what you've already made. >> What's in this pocket? Like probably some earbuds. I'm trying. >> Keys and AirPods, you said. >> Yeah. >> Membership I don't go to. >> Yeah, we all have those. >> They might not be >> 90302. Where are you at? >> Yeah, there's I just not want to come out here. I don't want to go drop them all over the place. Nothing up here, right? No pockets. Good. Give me just a second. Go ahead and take a seat. >> Hey, Cameron, you've been so honest with us. Is there any money in your wallet that belongs to Target? >> Uh, just the big bills, I think. >> Okay. One second. Just one second. >> 37 37 42. >> It's warm in here, man. >> I don't like being cold. >> I don't like being really hot or really cold. So, >> is that >> I can turn If it's too hot, just let me know. All right. You're honest with us and hold on. >> Does a backpack go in? >> No, I haven't checked that. This is everything that doesn't need to be searched. Wallet that does need to get searched. You got an extra pair of gloves. I'll stand right here while you guys. >> At first, the officers decided not to search Cameron's wallet, wanting to avoid messing with any evidence. But as the investigation went on, it quickly changed course. And that one move exposed the suspect's ruthlessness, carefully hidden behind a mask of honesty. >> When is this from this money? >> I don't know. It's It's >> Is this from It's not from today. It's from previous days. Okay. >> So, how much money is supposed to be in here? >> I don't know. >> Is it safe to say that most of this money is from Target >> or change from five and $100 bills. Hold that for me. So, six 7 8 9 I'm just separated 1,000 1,029 by accounting. >> Okay. >> What what are you thinking with this? uh >> and he he admitted that most of his money is either changed or money from >> so unfortunately I have to do a currency form >> to give it back to him. >> No, cuz if it's going to go into property at the sheriff's office, then it needs a currency form and it has to be signed off by a sergeant. >> Yeah. After all was said and done, he was charged with felony grand theft, and received 5 years of probation, 100 years of community service, and a $10,000 bill in restitution. Speaking of desperate employees who risk it all to steal from their bosses, 24year-old Mariana put everything on the line when she chose to swipe $2,100 from her employer for a Cancun getaway. >> You took money from the register. Do you have any idea how many times? a few times. >> And do you know how much money you took? >> 2100. >> Sounds stupid, but I have an upcoming trip next month and I'm short on money on that. >> Where are you going? >> Cancun. >> On November the 25th, 2024, officers of the Orlando Police Department received a call from a Macy's store reporting the incident of theft involving one of the store's employees. When officers arrived, they spoke briefly with the supervisor, who gave them important intel before proceeding to ask the suspects questions regarding the incident. >> It's an employee was we just interviewed. She was she um we have her student cash throughout the course of 3 months that she was here. >> Multiple occasions. Excuse me. >> A total of 2100 2100 something. >> Uh I'm officer Gonzalez with Orlando Police. That's that's my partner, Officer Wallace. Uh what is her name? Mariana, >> you have your ID with you. >> It's in the car. >> It's in the car. >> Okay. >> Um, do you know why we're here? >> I do. >> You do? Okay. So, uh, you're not under arrest or anything, but under Florida law, every time I go talk to somebody, I have to read their Miranda rights, right? Uh, I'm sure you've seen any TV shows and stuff, so like I said, you're not under arrest. You're good. Take your time. Is that your water? If you want to take a sip of water or anything, you can take the sip of water. Um, I'll read your uh your constitutional rights, your Miranda rights. If you have any questions at any mean, just at any minute, just to stop me and I'll explain it to you. How old are you? >> 24. >> 21. >> 24. >> 24. Any kids or anything? No. Who do you live with? >> My parents. >> Your parents. you you're from Orlando or um Okay, so we got called here for allegations of some missing money, right? I'm assuming Macy's already talked to you about it. So, I'm here to get your side of the story of what happened, right? Um I'm usually pretty up forward and I'm honest to the person. That's why I tell you like you know there's no secret to why I'm here. Okay. How long you've been working for Macy's? >> It must be 4 months. >> 4 months. And what is your job here at Macy's? >> So associate in sunglass what? >> Sunglass. So you sell sunglasses. Okay. Uh and um part of your duties as associate at Sunglass Hut. Do you do cash transactions when you sell sunglasses? Okay. So, the allegations that Macy's is doing is that it's been some discrepancy on your cash register, right? Are you aware of that? Can you tell me what happened? >> Um, to keep it short, I mean, I took a few times money from register. You took money from the register. Do you have any idea how many times? >> A few times. >> A few times. We're talking three. We're talking 10. We're talking 50. >> Oh, it's less than 10. >> Less than 10. >> And do you know how much money it took? >> 2100. >> Yeah, that's what they said. Yeah. >> Well, that's what they're saying. >> How much you think it took? I estimated under a thousand. >> Under a thousand. >> Okay. Uh like on the times that you took, what was the largest amount you ever took in one day? >> 400. >> 400. And then what was the least amount you took in one day? >> I think it was like $60. >> 60 bucks. How how you were doing? >> How? >> Yeah. Um, >> like you were waiting till the end of the day or when the customer hand you the money, you didn't put inside the register or how do you do? >> No, it was whenever I closed or opened the register. >> When you're closed or open the register and then you will take the money out. >> So if it wasn't closing, I'll take it from the deposit. >> What is What do you mean by the deposit? Like the money that you would have sent it to another employee to make the bank deposit. Yes. Or like here at Macy's, we would go upstairs and we would like throw it into like this mail thingy. >> Mhm. >> And I guess they send it out to somebody or something like it like we put in a bag in a deposit bag. >> Okay. And then when you put on deposit bag, do you seal that bag? >> Yeah. >> For the officers, it was surprising to discover just how far this desperate employee had gone to take what wasn't hers. And although she sounded sincere, they had reason to believe she was not acting alone. Okay. So, because this is where why I'm asking some of those questions, okay? And I I appreciate your honesty. I appreciate you're telling me that you took some of the money, but I hate uh saying like, "Hey, you know, it's $2,100, right? As Macy's saying, $2,100, but you're saying, hey, it's I estimate less than a,000." So, I want to make sure there's no other person involved on this. >> Oh, no. That could have be even without my knowledge taking that money later. >> Without I mean without my knowledge I wouldn't know, >> right? That's why I'm saying like I want to make sure like your bags were always sealed, right? Like when you did your deposit cuz like I never worked for Maces, right? But all my young ages. So I worked for other stores and I actually worked for a bank at one point and I'm assuming it's kind of pretty similar to what you have here. So, like when I work on a bank, at the end of the day, they call you back, right? Which you count your money and then you put all the information and your computer system is supposed to match. Okay. He's supposed to have $3,000 cash. When you count your money, it puts in there, yes, it matches $3,000 cash. And then we take all that money out. We actually had it to put in order. If it was like $2,000, we were supposed to all hundreds were supposed to wrap it in $2,000. And then we put on a seal envelope that I seal and I also had to initial the envelope. And then I go to the drawer, which is like the shoot we call where you put your money and then you close. >> Yeah. That's what I was talking about. The little melting thing upstairs. I call it a melting thing. Like a little shoot. >> Yeah. So after when you close when you close your your money like your account your money how much average money you had a day >> that varied a lot cuz I mean there were some days where there was no deposit some days where >> like all your sales were like credit cards and stuff like that >> and then but what is the like I'll say what is the largest amount you ever had on your drawer >> like in total? Yeah. >> Like on your sales, right? You're do you have a minimum amount that you start? >> Yeah. 300. >> You start with 300. >> Mhm. >> And then whatever you sell cash, then it's >> that's the deposit. >> That amount plus the 300. >> Well, I don't know if it's plus the 300. >> Well, but you send that 300 back or you keep that 300 on your drawer. >> No. So, the drawer itself always >> has 300 >> has to have $300. So that if there's more than $300 or there's cash payments throughout the day, then that's the deposit that we would, you know, put in the shoe. So every day it will be $300 to register morning, night, you know. >> So if you had no sales, you had $300, >> correct? >> Right. Now, if you sold $1,500 in cash, then you would have a total of 18, which is the 300 plus the 1500. >> I believe that's how it works. >> Yeah. Right. >> As the conversation continued, they could easily tell that she was an amateur and that this realization raised a serious question in their minds. What could have made her so desperate that she resorted to stealing from her own boss? >> Why are you doing this? >> Like I told them it's for school out of the pay pocket. Um you >> pay for college? >> Yeah. So I did get a scholarship, but there's parts where I have to pay it back. And I have an upcoming trip. Sorry, I know it sounds stupid, but I have an upcoming trip next month, and I'm short on money on that. >> Where are you going? >> Cancun. >> For how long? >> A week. >> A week? Going with friends, family? >> With my boyfriend. >> Um, what do you where are you going to school at? >> Valencia. >> Valencia College. What are you thinking? >> What? >> Yeah. What? >> It's medical assistant with EKG. >> Very good. >> How far are you at? >> I just started. >> How long is the program? Um, it's an accelerated course, so it's like four months. >> Oh, those are hard. >> Yeah. Um, and it's two days a week, but I'm using that as a stepping stone to like do nursing later on. >> That's I mean, it's probably one of the best industries. >> I wish I had a thought and went to the medical field. >> It's hard. >> It is hard and I don't know if I can do it. >> So, but it's a beautiful profession. I'll tell you that. you know, it's I think it's extremely rewarding. So, I see every day like we go to hospitals every day. We see people every day. So, I have my kids in the hospital at times and I'll tell you like it's extremely rewarding. It's a beautiful profession. Uh I hope you can continue especially if that's your dream. I hope you can continue and uh succeed cuz it's it's amazing. Uh how much are you paying for school? like how much money you're short. >> Sorry. >> I'm like 6,000 short. >> 6,000. How much is the program? >> Oh my gosh. It's >> okay. Take your time. This is over 10. >> So you got like tuition for like 40% of it. That's still quite a lot of money. I paid myself through the police academy and the police academy cost me 5k, you know, and to me that was a lot, you know. The only difference that the police academy is full-time, so it's extremely hard for you to work, so I had to work most weekends and stuff. And I 100% understand, you know, what you're having to go through. Um, do you had any plans to stop? What was your goal like besides the trip? And like it was like when once you paid off your college that was when you were kind of like going to stop or >> was going to stop after the last >> the one from yesterday. How much was the one from yesterday? >> 100 bucks. >> Do you regret >> at any point you thought as you were doing like I can't get caught and I can't go to jail. Um, is there anything that I forgot to ask that you want to add that you think is important? Anything on your side or anything that I miss? No. Um, would you like to write apology letter to Mises? >> Can I see you? uh prefer um in writing just because it's easier cuz I'll have to turn all this information to a judge and it's easier for the judge to see in writing than have to watch my entire body cam. You have zero obligations in doing it. >> Okay. If you don't want to do it, that's fine. You know, uh um that's this is 0% obligation. I only ask I normally give the opportunity to everybody once I they I see that they have some remorse that have some regret of doing just for uh uh you know for court purpose. >> While the detective was trying to get her to write an apology letter, she had other concerns. >> But if you don't want to do one now, you can always do one later. You can actually if we get the chance to go in front of the judge, you can tell and talk to the judge over there. That's up to you. >> Oh yeah, I'll wait. That's That's hoping. >> All right. >> So, what's like the whole like >> the process right now? Okay. I'm going to go get uh her side of the story again. I want to see like everything that she has, her statement, the evidence, and everything. And then, um we're going to go from there. Uh most likely, you know, and you're probably going to be going to jail today. Okay. You will have a bond. Uh you'll be able to make phone calls and everything from the jail to get your family to help you out, to bond you out. Uh you're also allowed to bond yourself out if you have any cash required. But uh based on the little that I already saw and if it continues that they were willing to prosecute, my hands are tied on that. I have no choice but to take the job today. So which choice who has who has the same? >> Mes are the victims of the crime. So I'm I'm just the the the mitigator here. And you know as as far the law works every time there is a crime the decision comes from the vict uh from the victim but few exceptions right and those few exceptions I mean domestic violence homicide and stuff like that. homicides because the victim can't see, right? So on this case which is a theft, you being charged with theft. Um and then uh the the victim is Macy's. So I know they were making couple phone calls to their superiors and stuff to trying to get the final decision. If the decision is made to prosecute you, then I'll be taking you to Orange County Jail for processing. Okay. The way it works is you will go there. I will do my paperwork. Once I complete my paperwork, you get processed to Orange County Jail. I have you ever been arrested? I assume that, right? Okay. So, uh you get process. Okay. This process can take uh today's Monday, so I don't expect them to be too busy. So, I'll say probably 4 hours, 3 hours, right? fair sake about 3 or 4 hours. If you legally bond yourself up, you're going to have a bond. I don't know how much your bond is going to be yet. It can be um it's probably going to be somewhere around $2,500. Now, if you go with the bonds person, you pay 10% of that money, okay? Which would be let's say if it's 200 2500, 10% is 250. You pay that 250. You get out, but you will have a court date. And then your court date probably anywhere three to six months. You get assigned a defense attorney, which they will represent you for free unless you want to hire your own private attorney. If you want to hire your own private attorney, you just tell the state defense attorney that you don't need him, that you have your own attorney. If you want to talk to the defense attorney first, the public defendants office, you talk to them, get everything with them, and then if you okay with him and want to use him, there's a minimum cost for you. Okay? Until you're, you know, until we go to court, either, you know, solve the case one way or other. All right. >> You have any questions for me right now? >> No, I mean, so if I go, when I go to court >> Uh-huh. like what's the solution like what what happened after that cuz I already admitted to um pay back >> okay so you can mention that to your attorney okay that you agree to pay back Macy's full reimbursement and all that and he can work with Macy's on that okay um again I'm I'm I'm telling you some of this stuff I'm not the best person cuz I'm not an attorney right I'm just speaking on my experience itself so your attorney will give you more details to what's the solution or uh uh the outcome of your case, you know, in a later time, but make it simple, especially without being an attorney. >> The detective continued with the explanation, hoping that it would help her understand what she had brought on herself. >> We have every case we have couple solutions. One is the state attorney dismissing the case. Okay, which means the state attorney reviews everything and says we don't have enough evidence to prosecute her and they dismiss the case. Okay, the second solution is you coming with the agreement between you and the victim. But with that, both attorneys have to be involved. The state attorney's office and defense attorney's office, you and Macy's, the four of you will have to come in some form of agreement, right? which possibly be like, "Hey, Macy's wants you to reimburse them $2,100, you know, don't ever work, don't ever apply for a job at Macy's again." Boom. That's one solution. I'm just saying as example. I'm not saying that it will happen. Okay? And the third one is Macy's doesn't agree on the the solution of getting paid. They want more. they want you to pay for and then you know there is more uh repercussion when it comes to Florida state law and then they can say hey she doesn't have any priors we're going to give her probation or we're going to give her jail time or whatever the judges decide in a later time. So those are like some of the outcomes possible. Uh I know it's extremely stressful if you never been in this situation. Um, you know, unfortunately, we still have to go through the process. Okay? Um, so, but I will not make any decision until you talk to your attorney. See where I'm going? You're going to have attorney appointed to you. Okay? You're going to have a defense attorney appointed to you. So, talk to your defense attorney. Talk to your attorney. let him review all the evidence on the case before you make uh uh some decision or something. Okay? Because they are the ones that can give you better advice than me, your friends, or unless your friends are attorney or just searching online on Google cuz I know you will do it cuz everybody does it. Okay? So, just bear with me. Let me finish with them. My partner's going to stay here and I'll be right back. Okay. >> You have any questions? >> Nope. Just looking up. >> After speaking with the supervisor again, it was finally time to make her face the consequences of her actions. >> Good for you. >> What's your name again? >> Mariana. Do you mind standing up for me, please? Is this your uh phone? >> Okay. All right. Go ahead and stand up for me. All right. Place your hands behind your back. Can I make a call? >> You mean say you make a call when you get to the jail? >> We'll make a call. You going want to call your family or something? >> Yeah, >> I'll help you with that. >> I go 390 check my boyfriend. >> That's fine. We'll do that. >> I go through Give me >> Oh, go ahead. We'll call him when we get to the jail. Uh before we go inside my phone, though. >> Yeah, I can I'll let you do that. Normally, I don't let people do that, but uh I will uh I will let you uh make your phone call. I'll help you out. You call from your phone and then you're allowed to take once the once you go inside the jail, they will allow you to take, I believe, up to three numbers out of your phone and have on a piece of paper to make more phone calls. And then over there, you can also make as many phone calls you want. >> Sir, do we need any of this? >> N that's all Macy's stuff. >> Any questions for us? >> No. All right. Just send me the video when you can and that's it. >> Thank you. >> Have a great request for trespass or anything, right? Okay. Uh-huh. Do you have anything on your locker here or do you have a locker or >> in the car? You have your car keys? >> Right there. Okay. >> All right. I'll get in in a minute. >> Let's just stand behind here. I'm going to pat you down before I push you in the car. Do you have anything on you that that could possibly hurt me, harm me, stick me, poke me? Big face. Wipe your stance. Probably two steps sideways. >> All right. >> Big big steps. >> W just a little more. Thank you. >> Where's the car park? >> Ma'am, where's your car parked at? >> Over to the right. >> On this side. Right here. >> Right here. What color is it? >> Like a blue gray. A Hyundai. >> Blue gray Hyundai. Spark right here to the right. >> Hyundai. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> All right. I'm put you in on the side. If anything, my parents could pick up the car. >> They can, but Oh, they have a spare key. Okay, then you can call them from the jail and have them come pick it up. But normally the mall, as long as they know and stuff, they they don't tow it or anything. So, >> and they will keep the eye out. But it's better since your property is inside. It's better if your parents come pick up later on. >> All right. Just take a look. >> Should I get my bag? >> Uh, no. We can't go in there right now. >> There's nothing inside the vehicle, correct? So anything any concrete or anything that appears after you come out, we'll be charged with it. Okay, I'll let you know. >> Car because of where you're sitting >> and you if you're moving your hands, >> it's going to be a short ride. It's less than 5 minutes. >> At the end of the day, she was booked into jail on a charge of grand theft. She was sentenced to 2 days in jail, 12 days of probation, and required to complete a mandatory theft awareness course. Marina might have been down in her luck, but Tina was a whole different breed of desperado, letting friends and family make off with $150 in merchandise for a single dollar, leaving her employer $5,000 poorer in the process. >> She will charge a dollar and let the customer leave about $150 worth of merchandise. I just said I rang people up. They gave me money and that was it. >> I'm not even at the jail yet. Sorry. >> Oh, we had to take it all off so we could the last officer do that to me. >> On March the 6th, 2024, Florida police received a call from a Family Dollar manager reporting an employee named Tina, who let customers walk out the store with carts full of goods worth 150 or more in exchange for just $1. They immediately rushed to the store determined to get to the bottom of the story. >> I know you called me. What's going on? >> Good afternoon. How are you? We have a an employee that is being under ringing like she will charge a dollar and let the customer leave. It's about $150 worth of merchandise uh multiple time during the month of January multiple times in the month of actually a little bit in January multiple times in February and the last one was on Sunday. Um I interview her she's sitting in the back wrote a statement recording a statement. She admitted to what happened and uh we just called you guys. >> Okay. Do you have any evidence of this video? >> I got I got full video and I got a I recorded a statement that I know >> I can't use a recorded statement because she's not issued her rights. So I can't use a recorded statement. So >> statement I I took it and I didn't have to read her. I >> Yeah, but I have to under court of law under fourth amendment. Understood. >> Okay. Uh all right. Do >> you have a tally of ever how much he actually took? >> Um, how old is she? She's only >> hurry up. >> What are you doing? This is Tina. >> Hello, Tina. >> This is the officer. >> How you doing? >> You have an ID on you? >> Where's your purse at? >> Okay. Okay. >> Under the >> Okay. I'm pretty sure this is >> Roger. Come on. Under this is back there. >> What's going on? >> So, um my LP. >> Okay. >> How you doing? >> I did it. Yeah. >> Um, what's going on? >> Pretty much, as I explained, um, since the beginning of February, >> Mhm. She pretty much knew people from Facebook and regular customers >> and she's in a tough situation with her family and she figured I let you take the merchandise you want. All I need is $50 to $80 coming to me in cash and I will ring every other item. So she will buy the items or not even ring it. So you can see transaction when she at the invoice it >> okay >> to zero or you can see when she only scan a lollipop for 35 cents a dollar and then you see like a full body leaving the store for my you have um do you have the videos uh each time in time? >> Yes. >> Okay. Um do you have a a laptop or anything I can view it? I can look at some of which right now in the screen. >> Yeah. We also have this is also a log of everything >> out of everything so far. >> Some of the stuff is not logged. >> They couldn't believe what they had heard. So they had to see the video evidence for themselves. But by the time they finished watching, they realized the manager's story barely even scratched the surface of what she had done. >> Which one? Wait. 35 35 at 135 >> 25 years ago. where they used to have coupons. So they would every customer after a certain amount of money was supposed to get a coupon like McDonald's off this one all those items. Um how much um the transaction >> 100? >> Yeah, that's 100. But how much did the customer pay for? >> 59 cents. >> 59 cents. So over 100 >> over 100 on that particular one 59. >> So what's what was the date? >> Uh the day over there is March 5th at 12:21. >> So 35 >> that will be Sunday. That will be the last transaction. >> 121. What's the next one you got? >> Um 33. >> 33. What time? >> 1956. >> Are you able to pull the receipt? >> Okay. Okay. >> And okay. >> Or the link that you're going to send up to the file. Yeah. So back here >> the customer paid nothing. >> This is another customer. >> So what was the date? >> Uh March 3rd, Sunday, 1956. >> So the other one was March 5th. >> Correct. >> And this one is March. >> Yeah. We're going >> Yes. >> Yeah. Third. >> Biggest question. We all want a prostitute. >> 100%. >> Yes. What the was the time? >> Uh time is 1957. >> So 7. >> This is a lady with the pajamas. >> There's over $150 in here or more. And how much did you pay? >> 5950. >> What did we calculate her when we look at the product? Over 150. Yeah. So she said she's she's been going through some financial difficulties and that's what she say on the on the video I mean on the recording and during my statement that she was doing it for her kids >> for the kids. Okay. And she, you know, she would let him go and then they would give her money. >> Yeah. I guess uh they they know her from the streets. >> Okay. >> So they know to come from the area to come to the director and then they will give her the money like in a little piece of paper >> $50 to $80 a month. >> And I have a reading statement if you want to read it. >> I think we have enough as long as we have all the videos. Yeah, we were going to you was not for prosecution purposes. We need someone with expertise to explain all that to the state attorney's office. Okay. I'm going to need your information. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, I'm going to talk to her real quick. >> Okay. >> With all the evidence they needed, they tried to get her to confess. But her next move made one thing clear. She wasn't just a thief. She was a bold one. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Um the bucket here was Yeah. Can you turn around for me? All right. So, I guess they already talked to you. No, you turn around, please. I guess they already talked to you. What's that? >> That's my people. I I need to know what's going on. >> Okay. Um, I guess they already talked to you and um and you talked to him about what's been going on, right? >> Um, I need to get get a statement from you and find out the same statement I gave them. I wrote it on the paper. >> I listen, I don't know what they do, okay? My job is to I'm impartial, okay? My job is to talk to you and find out what's going on. Okay? I need to ask you, >> find out money from people and then bring them up. >> Just give me give me a second. Just give me a second. Okay? I'm going to ask you a few questions and I'm going to you know you you watch TV so I have to advise you of your constitutional rights. Okay. And then I'm going to ask you a few questions. Do you understand? Um, I need to ask you a few questions. Are you under the influence of alcohol right now? >> Huh? >> What? Uh, what's what is the highest level of your education of your education? Eth grade. >> Eighth grade. >> Um, did you play any sports in school or >> softball? >> Softball. >> I am required I'm required to warn you before you make any statements. I'm required to warn you before you make any statements, you have the following constitutional rights. You have the right to remain silent and not answer any questions. Do you understand that? Any statement you make must be freely and voluntarily given. Do you understand? It's it's recording. You have to say yes or no. >> Yeah. I just feel like if I'm going to jail, there's no reason for me to explain anything. >> I'm just >> I just I want to say that I'm going to jail. Listen, before I ask you any question, I have to read your rights. It's it's by law, okay? Um, you have the right to the presence and representation of a lawyer of your choice before you make any statement and doing any questioning. Do you understand? >> Yeah. >> If you cannot afford a lawyer, you are entitled to the presence and representation of a courtapp appointed lawyer before you make any statement and doing any questioning. Do you understand? Yeah. >> If at any time dur during the interview you you do not wish to answer any questions, you are privileged to remain silent. Do you understand? >> No. >> I can make no threats or promises to induce you to make any state to make a statement. This must be of your own free will. Do you understand? >> No. >> Any statement can and will be used against you in the court of law. Do you understand? >> Yes. Do you understand those rights which I've read to you? >> Yeah. >> With those rights in mind, >> are you choosing to speak with me? >> Um, the only thing I got to say is if I'm going to jail, I don't want to answer. >> Listen, I I So, what I'm trying to tell you is that if someone says something, I've I've known you for for I' I've come here, I've talked to you, whatever. I don't know anything about you. All I say is, "Hi, how you doing? I come to you. I I purchase whatever I need to purchase and I walked out. I don't know anything about you. Someone say something. I need to know what happened. Okay? Cuz a lot of time people say, "Hey, did you talk to so and so?" "Yeah, she was nice. She told me what happened. You know, she was having some issue, whatever." So, I can present that to whoever I need to say to. But what I'm trying to say is that I can't just go by what someone say. I have to talk to you and get your side of the story. Okay? >> She knew there was no way out. jail was inevitable. With every response, she practically begged them to cut to the chase and just lock her up. A plea they weren't afraid to grant. All right. Um, how long you been working here? >> October. November. >> So, you've been working since October? >> October or November. >> Okay. >> You part time or full time? >> Full time. >> Full time. Um, you work normally day shift, right? >> Both. >> Day and night. >> Are you married? Have kids? >> I have kids. >> How many kids? >> Three. >> Three kids. Do you like working here? >> Do you have any problem with anybody here? Um, who's your Roger's supervisor, right? >> Yep. >> Okay. Have do you have any issue with him? Okay. So, um like with with the transaction, can you tell me like what's what's going on? Like I my cuz I don't want anybody to come here and put a gun to your face and threaten you and whatever and and then we're going to have to go hunting down and and and find out. Just make sure that didn't happen. Okay. I just that's why I need to get a status store from you to make sure that you're not you're safe that no one threaten you or anything. >> Nobody threaten >> I I can't hear you. Nobody threatened me. >> Okay. All right. Can you tell me what's going on? >> I just said I rang people up when they gave me money and that was it. I mean, >> so you you charge them charge them less than what the value of the the the merchandise? >> Mhm. >> Huh? How much you normally get from them? >> This all depends. 60, 80, 100 depend the person the I I don't know. It's just different prices. I don't know. Okay. hard to explain the same [ __ ] >> So like between $50 to $100 um these people that normally like do they know you or do you know them like >> the street? >> The street like in the neighborhood >> around Yeah. >> Okay. >> Like do they know to come to you or how does it work? We're doing the same statement the man just took from me on a piece of paper. >> I I I what I'm trying to say is that I just I need to >> It's either I know them and they just come in to shop and they see me there and that's just what I do. I don't call nobody. Like I I don't like that's what I'm saying. If I'm going to jail, there's no point to explain all that cuz I'm going to go to jail with a migraine and aggravated as like they already got the video. >> They got all that. Like I don't >> you you can you can stop. You can say at any time I don't want to talk to you. I don't want to talk about this anymore. And then I'll stop. Do you understand >> at this point they got the video and everything. So there's explaining myself ain't going to do nothing. >> But what I'm trying to tell you is that I need to get your side of the story. And I told you already. You can at any time you can say, "Hey, I don't want to talk to you. I don't want to talk about this anymore." I already explained I was not I was getting money from people and I wasn't bringing everything up about who it is and where I know them from. All that is irrelevant. It's like I did what I did. It was a mistake. I know I was wrong. Like now what's the next step? >> Okay. How long this been going on since you started? >> Since like January. >> Since January. >> Didn't do it the whole time. >> How much money you think you got total from these people? Like >> a couple hundred. I don't I don't know exactly like >> No, what I'm saying from from January like maybe >> I'm saying I don't know >> 1,000 2,000 >> not that much. No, >> I mean just just a rough guess. >> 500 600 less. Like I don't I don't know. Every time we get money is gone. I don't know. Not even out of jail yet. Sorry. We have to take it all off. >> The last officer didn't do that to me. She was hit with a felony grand theft charge and handed 24 months of probation. And yet another tale of desperate employees gambling it all to swindle their bosses. Bird kissed her job goodbye after successfully pulling off an $11,000 lottery ticket scam. >> It's not more like you just stole a candy bar. Okay, I guess there's a question about almost $11,000 worth of lottery tickets. >> Okay, >> stop pulling from me. Hang on. Put your hand behind your back. Okay. >> On November the 8th, 2022, Florida police received a call from a Wind Dixie manager reporting an employee was later identified as Bird caught rigging the lottery system. When they arrived, they started talking to the manager to get the full story. But what they were about to hear, well, they weren't ready for it. All right. So, what's happening is we have an associate. Um, okay. >> We started seeing some lottery shortage over here, for instance, ticketing online. >> Uhhuh. >> Um, it started back around beginning of July. >> Um, and it's gone on to present. So, >> since July, this has been selecting lottery cards. >> Lottery cards playing online tickets. >> Yes. >> Okay. You want to go back in for real quick? >> Okay. You said something about the second. >> I don't know what's going on. number one side. >> That's cuz I I don't want my kids to be stuck out to the door. >> I know. Well, we don't I don't know what's going on yet. So, let me talk to him and we'll go from there. >> Um, so have her on video, you know, collecting tickets mainly at the liquor store. She would just scratch the bottom to see if they're winner or not, discard them if they weren't, uh, cash them if they were. There's also another process on the cash register to the ware um like somebody brings up a winning ticket, we can key in instant lottery redemption and then put in the dollar amount and then we can pay that out. Well, she figured out that she could do that even without a winning ticket and everything still balanced on the back end in our world. But then when we got the bill from lottery, then obviously we were like, okay, well, we paid out more redemptions than what we received. >> And so that's when all this started to unfold. Um, so we're looking at um total that I can prove that she >> was 10,653 something like that during that time. >> On video, >> every on video, I got it all on a thumb drive for you. Everything on video, I've got the our report that shows our redemptions on our register and then the all of the redemptions on the Florida lottery terminal. Since we don't own that, I had to get that and that shows everything of what she scan, what the value is on an Excel spreadsheet. So that's how I log in for her information. >> Doesn't matter. The machine is a machine, anybody. >> The machine's a machine. Anybody can do it. But it's her scheduled shift. And obviously on video, she's the only one at the liquor store cuz we usually only work one person at the liquor store. So >> So basically, she's been taking lottery tickets, scan the bottom if they're winners or not. They're not winners. They don't win if they are winners. She scans up, takes the money, and she found a way to get to make a lottery ticket every time. And it's been going on since July. They have a thumb drive full of all the start July 2nd, I think, was the first day that we discovered it. >> Um, so do you have like date and times written out? Do you have anything written out yet or no? Everything's on that thumb drive as far as the spell proceeds. >> So, she's basically taking lottery tickets, scanning them. >> Don't they have to be activated in your team? >> They're all active because they're all, you know, for gameplay. >> She knew it was only a matter of time before her little secret came out. But until then, she decided to play the victim and keep up a good act. >> Sir, I didn't know what's going on for >> I won't tell you. We're trying to figure that out. I'm trying to figure out what I have. Okay, I'm going to figure out if we're taking a job or not taking a >> J. >> I will let you know. Once I know, I will let you know. Okay. So, can you sit down for me? >> I want my kids. I have a seven and a child is in school right now having asthma attack. >> So, let them figure out what's >> take a seat for me. We'll figure it out. >> You know, they'll they'll let you. >> So, I just can't just go home. >> No. Now >> why? >> Because the allegations I guess we have going on against you. >> Still going to investigate this all. >> Okay. Well, now that they did their investigation now they could tell us what they have going on. >> Say you had to talk to somebody else to finish going on. >> Well, they're providing us a verbal statement. What's been going on since July? Okay. So, it's not more like you just stole a candy bar. Okay. I guess there's a question about almost $11,000 worth of lottery tickets over. So, yes, we're going to go. Hey, is that something you got? >> You want to You want that back or >> She's right. >> Okay. >> The officer turned back to the manager, fully aware she was just trying to stall, but it didn't matter. They were getting to the bottom of this, whether she liked it or not. after they do instant audio redemption as a as a handy and they put $30, we give you 30 bucks, >> right? >> Well, everything balances in our world until the state, which we only get quarterly listing send us a bill that says, "Hey, >> you actually overpaid. >> We overpaid. We overpaid the redemption because she figured out that she could just do that instant lottery redemption for no ticket and get and take whatever money she wanted out of a fee." Correct. or no loser. Winner loser having a ticket. Not even having a ticket. She just goes up to the register and goes in lottery redemptions. $100 $100. >> Correct. >> You can just computerize. Is that normal practice? >> In my 15 years here, I've never had somebody figure that part out, but they could just do it without actually getting >> So, obviously something on our back end that might need to be addressed, but >> they gave me that opportunity. >> Okay. And then she played some online stuff, too. I mean, the online's probably a couple hundred bucks, but the rest is adds up to the, you know, 10,600 something dollars. >> Okay. >> Do you have a print out? >> I didn't print it out cuz it was just so big. I mean, these reports are >> PDF that you uh USB that you have. What is on? I've got all the video um doing all this stuff. I have all the receipts. >> Video video security. >> Yeah, security video. Yeah. >> Time stamp dated. >> Yeah. Time stamp dated. Um I have one file that has all the video, one file that has >> you. Okay. >> After hearing what she had done, the officer's suspicion only grew. They decided to keep a close eye on her just in case she tried something even dumber than she already had. But they're about to find out that she had plans of her own. >> Scared the hell out of me. >> Huh? >> Been out here figured out. >> I just saw that she got up over there and you moved back. So >> she cuz she told me to make a phone call. >> So I'm trying to think of who can I call to get my kids. >> Her children are about to get out of school. So she was >> but need. That's what I'm trying to figure out cuz the people might be able to make sure y'all came in. >> So, I'm trying to think who went around my house. >> I would I would try to figure it out. >> That's what I'm trying. >> So, while we're doing figuring out stuff right here, so you figure out what's going on. >> So, if you accidentally stay in that was just talking to me about this 2 months ago. >> I will gladly ask you. Don't worry about that. But I'm telling you right now, I'm going to be talking with him. We're going to figure out what we have going on. You haven't until by the time we come in here and talk to you about what's going on to figure out a ride for your family, for your kids and stuff. >> There's a possibility Why? >> Because apparently you stole almost $11,000 >> and like the Cory and Charles that run this store, they had a conversation with me and they woke me up. >> But let me, like I said, let me figure out what they have over here. Just get somebody see if they can pick your kids up just in case if you do happen to go to jail. >> That's the thing I'm trying to think. Who can I call? My family don't stay here. They say George. >> Okay. Well, you need to figure out a family friend or somebody or else I can call my friends the child services. >> So, can I call y'all? Um, one of the police officers that worked with you guys. that trouble. >> He used to or does tell you about the meeting we had. >> Hang on. >> See, now he don't want to say nothing >> cuz he's talking with us. I told you you just can't interrupt. We're talking now. So figure out what you're doing. Figure out something with your kids. Okay. >> Can she walk me in the bathroom? >> No. >> I'm like, >> no. >> She's walking with me. >> No, you're not going anywhere. >> I can't even go pee. >> No, you cannot go pee. How do I supposed to use the bathroom? >> It's either you make phone calls now for somebody to get your kids. Okay, I'm helping you that or I put you in handcuffs and we just go. >> No, we're not doing that. >> [ __ ] we have to listen to >> It's my You're in my custody right now. You're not free to go. You're under investigative detention right now. Okay. >> You know what that mean? >> Okay. >> Okay. >> So, what was the question? 34 >> just the extra total amount. See if we can just put >> a question. >> If a police standing in front of me, they could they could deny me to use the restroom. >> You got to tell them why we're in front of you. You're making accusations of you stealing $11,000 from when Dixie >> said again. Okay. Because with when I started back over here, he's saying that um $11,000 worth of lotto I took. So the police stand here. I have to repeat like I'm bleeding. Like he telling me no, I cannot go. >> I just asked him. He said no. She can't even go with me. He said I have to stand here. >> Yes. Just for that emote to that emote right there. >> Yeah, sure. >> She said if female go me, I should be able to go. >> It has to be law enforcement. >> Y'all can't stand at the door. Ain't no bathroom. >> Do you have a I need a female bathroom? >> Oh my gosh. >> No. The thing is I'm having a female officer come here. It's going to search you prior to going to the bathroom. >> No, she can search me. You want to take it? No, I'm not opening my clothes. >> No, >> that's what's in my pocket. >> You're fine. But now >> the only thing in here is milk and it's leaking. That's it. >> No, you're you are fine. Okay. >> She's saying no. I said can't go. >> But why don't you ask her see if she will um >> go pick up your little ones just in case you do have to come up with >> I can't hear you. >> Okay. She said the same thing you used to say. >> What? >> I'm sorry. When the police say something, I'll call somebody used to work for. >> Despite the overwhelming evidence against her, she continued to play the victim card. What better to get out of the mess than to pretend that she had no clue about the accusation. >> She said, "As long as the female officer, I can go. Other than that, if it's a male, I cannot go. I have to sit here and go." Correct. >> So, Mr. card. >> So, they didn't tell you about the write up they gave you for that? >> What's that? >> They didn't tell you about the write up that the whole conversation we had in here cuz I had it with Charles. >> That's fine. I mean, >> but but this is about the same thing you just talked about. >> Correct. Cuz at that point, we didn't we didn't know where the loss was coming from. >> He said the He said he said the lotto the lotto is messing up. So, you whatever you're doing, you need to stop. He said cuz it's a a lot of money for that. And then after that it was another one for the >> time. >> She really thought she was being slick, refusing to cooperate with the officers and playing dumb, but she had no idea the officers were about to hit her with a move she would not see coming. >> Apparently, apparently 3 days ago, lottery police got contacted by Wixie about it. They've compiled all the paperwork and all like the files and everything for Wixie. So, there's a PDF up here with like tons of information on it about video surveillance, I guess, each actual um scratch off ticket, dates, times, money value. I mean, what like 11 grand over 5 months, man. I mean, that that's >> Yeah, >> that's that's that's that's >> that's corporate. >> Well, it's grandpa that investigates [ __ ] like this. >> Yeah. you wait 5 months to do this. >> Well, they just knew about it 3 weeks ago because they got alerted by the state regarding I guess basically they sent a summary or whatever and I guess they said like oh you're you're over this amount because basically each ticket has a value. So she would go in just go to the computer and take money out without scanning a ticket. So that they hit >> and then I guess that when they found out about it they started investigating it. contact the lottery police. Water police sent him all the information. Um I guess he just got the rest of the information I don't know yesterday, today or two days ago. And then I guess uh she's here. So nobody's talked to her yet. Um I guess lottery police said that they have too high of a workload that they're not going to come take this. And it's just simple grand theft. And if you need him to come to the station to uh go this way to explain all the paperwork and how to read it and all this other kind of stuff. been helpful already. So, >> he he'd be more than happy to come do it. >> I appreciate it. >> Like, I don't understand why they just don't do it, but whatever. >> So, I just need you to fill out a statement form. Basically, just put your information here. >> Okay. >> Down here, put her information. Okay. >> And then, let's just make this the easy way. So, on the statement form, just write um we have on this date at this time, I was informed of XYZ. >> Um You begin an investigation which you ultimately determine that from this month this day to this month this day employee X was doing XYZ. Um you contact the lottery police. Uh they went ahead and sent you over all the files as far as video dates, times. I'm assuming the the transactions >> yeah like all the video and all the register transaction was from us and then I had to go through the state to get the for the the lottery their lottery terminal reports and that's what I contacted scans of the actual scans right >> and then just say you got all that information um just say that um it's been determined that the total amount of of of theft from >> um you know business or whatever is x amount of dollars um and then just put in there that you wish pursue charges. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Okay. Cool. >> I mean, that's >> I mean, we don't have to go too deep into yours, >> right? I mean, I mean, everything's on the thumb drive, so >> I know it's going to take some time to do day by day and each time. And that's a lot. >> That's what I was going to say. It's probably going to be she obviously depending on she says, if she doesn't like, then we'll probably release her while we continue to work the investigation because it sounds like it's kind of in depth for months, right? So, um, and once we arrest, the state has 33 33 days to file on those charges. So, if we can't really make sense of it for them, then they're going to drop it. >> Obviously, the only thing I'm worried about is restitution. So, obviously, I have to go through the prosecution part to get that. >> So, is it is it Windex at a loss or is it for the lottery? >> I'm at a loss for the value of the tickets. Now, the cases that I've worked for in the past is we'll prosecute for the value of the tickets cuz that's my loss and then the state goes after that person for the winnings of those fraud tickets. >> Okay? So that's what usually happens. >> That's even more in depth for for Yeah. What's the total value for the almost >> my loss is 10,000. Yeah. 10 10653 >> for the uh just >> for the tickets. Yes. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Then the value for the day is probably going to be triple that probably. >> Yeah. Depending on what you're >> Yeah. So like I said just on that just kind of like just this date you found out about this you begin an investigation and then you know just kind of the format of it. So cuz I likely I'll be I'll be doing the initial just a brief. >> She had plenty of chances to come clean but she refused to budge. Now the officers were done playing games. The detectives were now involved and it was time to get straight to the point. If she confessed there was no doubt she'd face the consequences. Who do you want to do in an interview? >> I don't really have a lot of knowledge, but I'll give a shot. Just understand. I just want to What was your What was your I know your your last name is Bird. What was your first name again, ma'am? You can read my my man set me up to go to jail. >> I didn't say that. But in order for me to speak to you, okay, because you are detained, okay, because we are doing an investigation, in order for me to legally speak to you, I have to read you your Miranda warning. Somebody said you're going to jail, okay? But I have to read these to you. Okay? So, what was your first name? States that the Constitution requires, I inform you that you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be used in court is evidence against you. You are entitled to talk to an attorney now or have him or her present now or any time during questioning. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you without cost. If you desire to consult with an attorney first or have one during the interview, just speak up at any time. If at any time hereafter you wish to remain silent or have an attorney presence, all questions will be stopped. Do you understand your rights? You you willing to speak to me? >> Go ahead. >> Is that a yes? >> Is that a yes? >> Okay. >> She finally admitted it. She'd been taking lotto tickets without paying for about 2 months. She even explained how she'd scratch them off, cash in the winners, and toss the losers. Her reason, she needed money for milk and baby supplies. But that excuse wasn't going to cut it. And she definitely wasn't getting away with it. >> Bring that later. I don't even need it. >> Can you go out the door? >> I got to do it here. >> I don't need Stephen. I my arm. >> Okay. Well, I'm trying to put your hand like you're right. Like you're >> Stop pulling from me. Hang on. >> Put your hand behind your back. >> Okay. >> Stop pulling. Do you understand that? >> I don't walk down the stairs. >> Doesn't matter. You're pulling from me. You don't do anything that I don't tell you to do. Do you understand that? >> Do the car. I'm not happy. >> In the end, she was convicted of felony grand theft and sentenced to 2 years of probation. But she couldn't stay out of trouble. She violated her probation and ended up serving eight months in prison.