from desperate employees trying to cover their tracks after being busted stealing on the job. >> Sometimes they overpay me, I take it, put it in my pocket. Okay. Or >> who who would overpay you? >> The customer. >> The careless ones who had absolutely no idea that they're already under surveillance while they were using their sticky fingered superpowers. >> So, you know they have cameras in here, right? >> Okay. >> Stupid. I know. >> So, when it's done, it's done. These workers thought it was an awesome idea to steal midshift. Meet Rim, a Target warehouse employee who allegedly used his access to inventory to take thousands of dollars worth of Apple products straight from the workplace before surveillance footage revealed what had been going on. supposed to be putting away product but like you see him take it and it goes missing in the time frame that it's reported missing but still in location. >> Employment status is >> terminated. Not welcome back here. >> All right. You understand that? >> On the 28th of July 2023, police were called to a Target location after management discovered that one of their warehouse employees, Rim, was allegedly taking merchandise from customer orders. When officers reviewed the surveillance footage provided by the store, the evidence appeared to clearly show what had been happening during his shifts. >> So, just want to could touch base. Are you guys looking to get him charged for everything or Okay. I didn't know if you just want to documentated it or if you guys were going to charge him or you want us to go through the process. >> Is there any video or anything of him taking items? >> It is. I'd like to see that please. Yeah. I'm a privacy screen. Let me go see. >> So, what I'm going to do is I'm going to have the uh manager deliver the determination. >> Yeah. >> Um get him some paperwork. Yeah. >> And then after that, we'll be >> Okay. >> All right. All right. Is it playing? >> He's going to come down this. And >> this is on July 14th. >> Yes. >> Is that >> That's him. >> This is him in question here. >> Yep. >> And what's his name? >> Rim. I think it's >> Rim. I'm not sure how to pronounce the last name totally, but his MMO is just stealing it right off the shelf and then quickly driving away. >> So that's him taking something off the shelf. >> Mhm. >> Can you rewind it? I just want to see what was there. The >> Do we know what we took right there? So that's one of the many case packs that he two more of you just came. Is that one of them was a female car? >> You guys will stay. So, it's going to be just a normal >> brown box >> case back of probably AirPods 47. Pennsylvania Romeo X. >> How did you guys catch wind that he was? >> So we have this process where we go out and track our high value products such as the Apple product and when we were out there a few times we noticed it goes missing and systematically it still shows in location. So, we run the tapes back and that's how we conduct our investigations. >> Okay. >> And we're able to So, this thing that he's driving is called an order picker. >> Is that him here or is this him here? >> This is him here. >> Okay. >> And we purposely put our high value products back in this aisle and the other aisle that we were just looking at. So, the MMO is that like they'll just go up to it on their order pickers. In this case, he'll just he's supposed to be putting away product, but like you see him take it and it goes missing in the time frame that it's reported missing, but still in location. >> Okay. And do you guys have an itemized list? I know he's writing whatever he's writing. >> Yes, we have. >> Do you guys have a list of of items that you know went missing? Do you have that? >> So, we have this whole This is our like evidence thing that we track. So, there Yep. That's him. That's him exiting. And then this is our evidence. So, iPads, five of them. >> He took five iPads. Okay. >> Apple uh watches 10. And then AirPods 10. So, >> so is this. >> So, it's Can you scroll down? So, it's 1649* 5. >> 12.99. >> That's the uh total price. >> That's so total. Yep. >> Okay. 6 7 8. So, 28. It's up to $4,24975. >> Is there a way you can like email us that or release the values of everything so we can put it in the charges of everything that was taken? >> With the reported value of the missing items reaching around $4,000, it was surprising that Rim admitted to the allegations when questioned. However, with the entire incident captured on camera, there was little room to dispute what had occurred. >> All right. Just need your badge. And if you take your vest off as well for me, sir. Andrew, if you could hold traffic coming this way. >> Is this your bag, sir? >> Okay. There's no here that's going to hurt us. No weapons. No. >> All right. >> And I just before before we move on with anything, employment status, >> he's >> terminated. Not welcome back here. >> All right. You understand that if you do come back here, there are charges for that. >> All right. Nothing else in your pockets. Uh, you have to coming back to get your car is cool, bro. >> Okay. So, I have to [clears throat] handle what they do. >> Yeah. >> Is this all your stuff here? Hatch yours. >> Yep. >> All right. R. So, right now, do me a favor. Turn around here. Put your hands behind your back. You want to come in with us. We'll get this stuff taken care of, get you out of here, and then um depending on what ends up happening from there, we'll probably be able to get you back here to get your car. Okay. >> Yeah. If I'm be honest with you, chances are you're just going to be released. >> Yeah. >> Chances are we'll escort you back here. Get him his Get him in his vehicle. >> They're going to be double locked now. Yeah. >> All right. Nothing else on you I got to worry about, right? You you [clears throat] jumped everything out. >> All right. >> All right. You're good. So, you're good right now. You just just relax. He's going to just check your bag. Make sure there's nothing in there. So, man, just give you a heads up, man. Guys, give you your rights. All right. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against career law. You have a right to attorney. picking out the report for Mr. W provided for you. All right, you understand those as I read them to you. >> And your waiver of these rights and you can w any kind of medical stuff here. >> It's just like hand sanitiz your stuff in the bag as well. We'll get it all back at the end. >> Was that phone? It's >> like a power bank. >> Oh, power bank. All right. Got you. >> Is this his termination letter? >> It is sir. >> All right. We'll put that over there with that stuff, too. >> All right. So, phone. >> You don't have a wallet? >> No. >> No wallet. Okay. >> My wallet is in my car with my ID. Okay, >> we'll get all that. >> Going to get All right, follow me this way. All right, I'm going to head right around to the right of the security. All right, 2546. Got one. All right, >> right to the stop attention door. We're not going to go five out. We're going to go right through there. All right. All right. All right. Punch yourself. So, I parked down over here. So, when we go down, walk over. We're going to go to the driver's side of the vehicle. You have a seat in there. We'll get you to the station. And this process takes like an hour and we'll get you back out of here. >> Fell out of my pocket. >> All right. >> You guys are really friendly to thank you. >> Yeah. Listen, man. Everybody makes mistakes, dude. I'm not here to beat you up over a mistake you made or anything like that. They even said you were cool, cooperative. So, listen, man. That goes a long way. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Think you can slide on over? >> Yeah. >> All right. In the end, Rim was charged with theft of movable property valued between $500 and $75,000, a felony offense. He was also immediately terminated from his position at Target. With Rim's case, surveillance footage and recovered losses quickly closed the gap between accusation and confirmation. The next story turns to Latoya Luster, a new employee whose brief time at the store allegedly escalated into immediate fraudulent activity shortly after she was hired. >> She started December 10th and on December 19th, she conducted her first fraudulent employ. And I was taking cash. On the 13th of February 2024, police were dispatched to a Five Below after a newly hired cashier was suspected of taking cash directly from her register. Officers first spoke with the store manager who appeared just as surprised as investigators that the allegations involved a recently hired employee. >> How long has it been happening? Well, I find out today, but the loss proation manager, he's been checking and he came today with a folder with all the day that she been stealing with with the day with the camera and all the information. They got a folder for you guys and they making the interview right now. >> How much money is it so far? >> If I tell you, I can be wrong, but he was sending almost more than $1,500. >> 1,500. You guys pressing charges? >> I guess. Yes. You guys have the money at the store, but I'm not the one that conducting the >> Oh, the she's right now inside with the employee by the district. >> They're waiting for you guys. >> You being somewhat cooperative. >> I came out from the office. They call Yeah, I don't know nothing what's going on right now. >> They just sent me a test message. Okay. >> All right. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So the situation I have is um I would have the state of Florida review exception reports and so on. We have an exception or call to midvoid report that shows whenever somebody may be uh voiding a sale and keeping the cash instead of actually returning it. And here customers give money they just go and that's what she was doing. She started December 10th and on December 19th she conducted her first fraud midvoid. Okay. >> Uh I observed that and I've been sampling all the way through. We've turned and I have a packet put together for you here uh that there was a total of 2023 but when I took out the ones that were legitimate total was 1423. That's good. And I have at the other packet for you. Um I can burn all the video. I know that sometimes you all give it to a detective and then I >> No, that's us. >> Okay, great. Okay, thank you. So um >> and you call you call it a midvoid? >> Uh it's called a a midvoid. Yes. So basically they they ring the register and before they hit total the customer gives them the cash and they walk away. All they have to do is hit midvoid it cancels the sale they can keep the cash. >> Okay. >> But it does capture that there was a midvoid that occurred. I then would watch the customer come up watch the cash exchange. Watch the drawer not open. Customer walks away and either conceal it under the drawer in the pocket or whatever. And I have at least 15 or 20 sample videos that I saved on that. call for this. >> I'm sorry. >> Call for her. >> Yes, her what is her name? >> Her name is Latoya Luster. L U S T E R. >> She is uh expecting in April. This is She disclosed this to me. Uh she's been very cooperative, very apologetic. She said she has a 17-year-old daughter that they're homeless uh and that uh she was stealing the money in order to take care of them. I tend to believe her. She seems to be very believable. Uh so, you know, I have a heart. I feel bad for her, but I have a job I have to do. And we pretty much prosecuted over 500 or so. >> By the time police became involved, the alleged theft had reportedly been ongoing for months. Now, Latoya was finally facing the consequences of the actions investigators believed that she had committed. [snorts] >> Me and my brother homeless and I was taking cash to feed us and keep us like a shelter and stuff like that. I I admitted to everything. >> I'm I'm pregnant. >> We um sometime we sleep on the steps. >> Mhm. >> Well, the hotel we at sometime. >> So, how how are you taking money? >> Like sometime they overpay me, I take it put it in my pocket. >> Okay. >> Or >> who who would overpay you? >> The customer. You know, if it w to change or sometimes I um I pull it out a ticket, it don't be like it don't be it be like 20 bucks or something like that just to feed us for that night and stuff like that >> or whatever. But >> how many times you believe you've done this? [snorts] He said started in December, but I really didn't um we didn't start sleeping on the bench until I I said January, but he said he I don't remember taking in December, but I I was the whole thing. I mean, I'm took it. [laughter] >> Cuz this is a statement you're writing for them. Yes, >> it's Latoya, correct? So, the total was for $1,495. >> That's what he he said. >> You believe it? Most likely. >> I don't I wasn't keeping up with anything. We stay together. We just >> Yes, sir. No, I just finished a four. We need to move together. You can pick whatever you need, sir. We we stay together for 100. >> So what what brought on the hardship? >> Uh we were staying we had a place and I I end up losing the place or whatever. Um and then I got pregnant. So we were staying with somebody and they told us we had to leave. >> Mhm. So we uh moved to the hotel and stuff. You know hotels sometime they get high and stuff like that. So then by me being pregnant and stuff so I just do the best I could. >> Okay. How old is your daughter? >> My daughter's 17. >> 17. Well there's resources to reach out for >> I did. I reached out to them. My doctors gave me resources or whatever, but um the say they over booked and stuff. So I I did I reached out to him, right? It really wasn't my opinion. >> Okay. >> So how many times do you believe you taking money over over the span of what from December >> till now? >> He he said from it started December. I don't I didn't even take anything. The only thing it started was I thought it started um after the 31st. My first time this >> after the 31st of December. >> Uhhuh. Um we didn't have nowhere to sleep. >> What's the most you've taken in like one period of time? >> Uh it it usually be just like 20 bucks here, 20 bucks there >> throughout a you might do it multiple times. [snorts] Okay. I >> I mean for for 1400 that that adds up if you're taking it at 20, you know, $20. >> That's how he said they added it up and stuff like that, but >> that's that's I know that's what I take. Like I >> And when when did you start again? December. >> Uh I don't remember when it started. 12th 14th and stuff like that. >> Okay. [sighs and gasps] Well, let me talk to the manager and I'll come back with her. Although Latoya provided her own explanation for what happened, investigators made it clear that personal circumstances did not change the seriousness of taking money that didn't belong to her. >> Um, you'll have a phone call after just so you'll be able to call from there. Do you need me to write down a number or something for you? Is that >> I'm sorry? >> Yeah. Do you have a phone in here? >> Oh, you have your phone? All right. Is that the number? >> My probation officer. >> Your probation officer. You're Are you on probation for what? >> Um it was for um driving without license. >> Okay. >> Driving without license. >> You don't have it. I thought that >> is that your jacket as well? Can you just hold your hand like this for me? He's going to search for it first. >> Have you stand up? Go ahead. Nothing in your pockets that you know still have here. >> Just drop it in. I just tell >> my >> I'm just going to put this over. So [laughter] >> I'm very sorry about everything but you never know. >> In the end, Latoya Luster was charged with grand theft. She received jail time, probation, and was ordered to repay the stolen amount. It was almost too easy to catch Rim and Latoya because they were clearly not the brightest in the bunch. But what happens when a very high IQ employee decides to get a little too creative for all the wrong reasons? >> She said she'd been doing it for the last two to three years. Um, and she admitted to ingesting it and admitted to taking it home in her pocket. >> All right, perfect. On the 4th of March 2025, officers were dispatched to a CVS after an employee was accused of using store medication for personal purposes over several years. Once the allegation surfaced, investigators immediately began reviewing evidence and conducting a full investigation into what had occurred. Okay, baby. >> I got a key in that pocket. [clears throat] Sorry. >> Is this your backpack here? This >> is hard. just >> you're you're a top driven but what are you missing? >> I just mean information >> and alone. Okay. >> See as you DJ footage. >> SW statement footage. >> What do you say? >> Swarm statement. >> Um, can you use my business address? >> Yeah, I'll pop up your address. >> What's your position here? >> The local district asset protection manager. He was a national manager. >> It's not corporate. >> All right. So, I need your ID as well. >> Who initiated the investigator? >> All right. CVS. >> How did CVS find all the services? >> Yeah. So, we do periodic counts on control substances. Um about a week and a half ago, I think it was. This store, we do what's called cycle counts. So, when they cycle count it, it matches to what they should have in stock. if there's a difference that flags it and then the pharmacy managers have the ability to escalate it to us to take a look at. So about a week and a half ago the pharmacy manager in this store had a flag on 5 milligram >> where was showing like 349 tablets off. She escalated that to us. They came to me and I was assigned the investigator for it. Um I started looking at it. I went through all the past cycle counts um for what we call the inventory period which mean for for us we uh we inventory control substances every May 1st. >> So from May 1st to now I could see what we call negative cycle counts. So where it looked like somebody was actively taking it. >> So I started narrowing it down to who it could be. Um watching videos see pinpoint it could be. Then I found Sylvia on video actually ingesting it. So you'll see her remove it from the bottle. actually pop a pill um and then swig it down with our water. And then there are other times where she'll >> So when they do a prescription, they put them in marked vials with a label on it and a bag with a label on the bag, right? But there are times when she would count it out, put it in an unmarked vial, then hide that vial underneath the counter and then later she'd pour it in her hand or pour it in her pocket, then leave the store. By the time officers became involved, Sylvia had already acknowledged her actions and had allegedly been caught with evidence directly connecting her to the incident. >> I also have a written statement from her. Perfect. >> Did she have been in there? >> Yeah. Okay. >> I can make you a copy of this, too. All right. If you guys are taking evidence with you, >> some jurisdiction. Did she sign this on camera or just >> No, there's no came on. >> No, there's a signed witness. >> He witnessed. I took it. It's in my handwriting for the questions of her handwriting. >> I got her on camera admitting to Julia. Anyway, I'll take this her copy of it. >> Thank you. >> You don't have any indication that she's diverting this for sale. Think it's just self-medicating. Yeah, you could see her self-medicating at night to calm down, I guess, probably, you know, when she goes home, >> right? >> She stated that she was taking it because to help relieve stress um and go home and calm down at night. Um was she taking it? She said she'd been doing it for the last two to three years. Um and she admitted to ingesting it and admitted to taking it home in her pocket. >> All right. Perfect. And it was over a period of three years or >> over two to three years. She couldn't remember exactly. She said 2 and 1/2 two to three years. >> And she admitted to um uh 300 um >> 110 milligram 100 um so 5 milligram 30.25 30 um.5 and 10 I 1 milligram but she couldn't that's her best guess. She couldn't remember the exact ladies. >> All right. So we just took her on what she was telling us on that part of it. >> So in the system it shows that all those pills were >> more than that. >> More than that. >> A lot more than that. >> That's just what she admitted to. >> That's just what she admitted to. Yes. >> Do you have a primary doctor? >> No, I don't. >> Do you get benefits here? >> Yes, I do. Did. Yeah. >> I do. >> Do your benefit you get health benefits? >> Mhm. Not anymore. >> Does that cover? I should have went to a doctor. My husband's always telling me to go to the doctor. >> Is your husband aware of this? >> No, he's not. >> Please don't tell. Well, you got to find out now. >> Okay. >> You're not going to >> What What is uh What does CVS charge for one? >> I don't even know. I'll tell you the truth. >> It's not a It's not a money thing. It's not that I sell them or anything. So, I really don't know how much it is. It's not a money thing for you. It's a money thing for them. That's why I'm asking. >> And you know, >> I don't know. Bad numbers and I don't know. >> Could be a dollar. Could be 50 cents. I I don't know. >> No, I don't know. >> How old are you? >> 65. >> And how long you been working >> in this? Like 15 years in general for CVS? I worked for CVS and Euro. So it's 30 years for being a pharmacist with the company. >> Okay. That's your position. Pharmacist. >> Staff pharmacist. Correct. >> I'm so sorry. This is stupid. >> You don't have to apologize to me. >> I know. Well, I apologize to my husband and the family and the company and everybody else. It was so stupid. >> People make mistakes to it. But, >> you know, if you uh if you have a so there's like there's kind of two sides of it, right? If you have a problem, then obviously you want to seek help for that, >> right? >> You know, and then if you feel the need that you need to be prescribed this medicine, then I would probably get in touch with >> Sure. primary care physician and what do you have what are you anxious about >> the job it's very stressful they want their like quotas to me >> however her explanation did little to take full responsibility for what investigators believe had happened with the evidence painting a much clearer picture >> coming like an hour early every day to get the work done and then stay like at least 2 hours an hour to two hours depending >> help me understand cuz I'm totally to the Yeah, they have quotas. >> Oh, you have to you have to uh it's like you're beating the clock. You have to do certain prescriptions per day within a certain period of time and you have to meet all the goals and the deadlines and the amount of prescriptions and you have to timely manner. >> Wouldn't that be dependent on them bringing patients for medications? >> Well, >> like if you're a slower restore that Okay, maybe >> would be the only >> No, I figured. But I I just didn't know there was a quota aspect to it. >> Oh yeah, they it's all numbers. It's numbers. >> And are you salary? >> I Yeah, I'm salary. Okay. Well, yeah, pretty much. >> Are you considered part-time or fulltime? >> No, I'm a full-time full-time staff. [cough] [clears throat] >> Where do you live? >> I live in Okay. That >> one block in the middle of that block in the middle of the street. >> Is your husband still working? >> He's a realtor. >> So, this was never something that you were selling for extra money or anything. Yes. >> I don't know what the charge is going to be exactly. >> That's what I was thinking. There's different with it. So, >> I don't know if they can get it like a counter started down. It raises the the level of it. >> That's only like applicable that I could think of right now. >> Huh? >> I said that's only applicable that I could think of right now. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> That was my initial. >> Despite the presence of surveillance cameras and store procedures, the alleged activity continued for an extended period. something that left investigators questioning how it went unnoticed for so long. >> How many years of schooling did you do for from school? It's like five. It was over 35 years ago. Now it's like I think it's like eight eight years now. Yeah. You have to get a doctor pharmacy. Back when I went it was just regular BS. >> Oh. >> [clears throat] >> It's a lot of stuff to learn. >> Different medications, the side effects. >> What's your name? >> Sylvia. >> So, I got a question for you, Sylvia. So, you know they have cameras in here, right? >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> Stupid. I know. >> So, >> what's done is done. >> You're already in handcuffs. Mhm. >> Right. So, now's the time to really like be honest, right? You've been you're Miranda, right? Right. >> I'm trying to be honest. >> Okay. You know, they have cameras in here, >> right? >> Yeah. >> Do you know what year it is? >> Yeah. 2025. >> Do you know who the president is? >> Yeah. Donald Trump. You know what sitting you're in? >> I'm way >> How many quarters are in a dog? >> Four. >> So your your cognitive abilities there. >> Yeah. I mean I'm 65 years old and I need to know I'm facing charges. >> So the charge you're more than likely going to be facing is what's called organized scheme to defraud. >> Oh goodness gracious. Okay. It's a It's It's a felony. >> Oh my god. >> So, it's pretty serious. >> That is serious. >> The rest of my life in jail. >> I mean, that's not to me. >> But >> is that what they're presenting for? >> That's I mean, that's what the crime is. >> So, just want to let you know where where we're at. Not feel good. [clears throat] >> I was just waiting until you were invoked. >> So you going to do the [clears throat] training training thing out there or something? I know you got something. >> Sounds good. >> Thank you. >> Where is your property? where I right now my bag and my sweatshirt is in the pharmacy as well as my phone. >> Is there anything that we're going to find in there that shouldn't be in there? >> No. No medicine. Did you take any medicine today? >> No. >> Are you sure? >> Mhm. >> Okay. >> In the end, Sylvia was charged with organizing a scheme to defraud. Sylvia's case proved how even monitored environments can fail to prevent prolonged misconduct. The next incident moves back to Burlington Code Factory where another employee is accused of choosing theft over protocol. >> Okay. But there's help out there. You just have to ask for it. So, um, if I read the notes right, it was a total of almost two grand. >> Yes. Yeah. >> On the 23rd of October 2023, police were called to a Burlington coat factory after an employee was accused of stealing money directly from the register. Surveillance footage reportedly showed the cashier processing transactions before taking the cash for herself whenever the opportunity appeared. It was a pattern that required further investigation, leading officers to first speak with her supervisor. >> And officer, >> nice to meet you. Thanks for >> What's going on? >> Yeah. So, we have an employee. Okay. >> Um she was a cashier, so over four shifts >> starting um on the 23rd of December. The last one was on the 1st. >> Okay. >> She was a cashier. Uh ring up bring up customers. Customers would hand her the cash. She take the cash, put it on the side of the register, finish the transaction, she take the cash. Yeah. Yep. I'm shocked that she's still here cuz he's told her like >> So, at least four different occurrences. >> Yeah. Yeah. Four separate shifts. Total is $1,985. >> Um, she wrote a statement and stuff like that, >> right? >> Um, >> uh, yeah, very cooperative. Yeah, no issues. >> Um, and, um, I've got video clips, so Gotcha. >> Somewhere around there. >> Gotcha. All right. Well, let's go. Let's go have a chat with her. >> Come on in. >> So, um, if I read the notes right, it was a total of almost two grand. >> Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. She did it. Um, she admitted to doing it and for like medical stuff to come off. >> Okay. >> Investigators then spoke with the suspect who was responsible for handling the store's money as a cashier. Given her position and access to the register, officers needed to understand how the alleged theft occurred and how long it had been happening. My understanding is that you have taken some money while you're working as a cashier in the front. Can you tell me about that? Like what's what's the purpose behind all this? >> I needed the money. >> Okay. Short on bills or >> my mom. >> Your mom. >> She's sick. >> Like she's got like cancer like really badly sick kind of stuff. How long has she been sick? >> For a while. >> She has to have surgery. medications, >> right? Does she not have insurance or anything? No. Okay. So, before we go into the other stuff, there are programs out there to help. Okay. A lot of your hospitals and medical facilities are going to have case workers that can potentially point you in the right direction for programs or even alternatives to insurance, right? Um, a lot of pharmaceutical companies, if you fall short on something, some of them are very well known to assist with payment plans or even potentially doing things for free. Okay? The biggest thing for you and mom is you have to ask the right questions. Okay? With what you've got going on, I I shouldn't be here having this conversation with you. I think we can all empathize with you. That that's that's a very serious thing to have to go through on your own. Okay? But there's help out there. You just have to ask for it. >> Okay. How many times did this happen? >> Um, a few. >> What's a few? Because a few to me might be three or four. It might be seven, eight to you. Three or four. >> Okay. Can you kind of tell me about how you proceeded with this? Like what was like how did this happen? Like how did you obtain this money? >> Oh, um, on transaction I would put it in the numbers, but I wouldn't put the money in. Okay. Were you still given like the customers or change and whatnot, but you just put the money to the side and kept this for yourself >> and this happened approximately four times on the same day or different days? >> Different days. Okay. Were any of those like more than one on one day or just all spread across four different shifts? >> Okay, I got you. >> How much is mom's medical expenses? [snorts] >> It's a lot. the surgery alone. >> I got the whole deal with the others, >> right? Does anybody else live at home with mom or is it just you and mom? >> It's just her. >> Okay. So, it would be very disheartening and ill- advised for me just to not show some sense of sympathy. Okay. Depending on what Burley Ting decides to do at this point in time, is there anybody that wouldn't you would need to contact so mom has someone to help her out? A >> friend, a family member? >> Okay, just me. >> Okay. Do you think mom would be okay for a day by herself if that were to be the case? >> Cuz obviously we don't want to leave mom by herself if she's so badly ill. >> She has to take the medications. She can barely walk. Is she bedridden? >> Yeah, basically. >> Okay. >> She just helped him get up. >> Okay. >> When confronted with the evidence, she was shown footage documenting the alleged transactions step by step, leaving investigators with a clear record of what had taken place. >> Has she seen this? >> Uh, no. We haven't shown it to her. >> Okay. Is it against y'all's policy for her to see it? >> Um, no, she can. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. If you want her to Yeah, that's okay. >> This This is you >> in the black sweater with your hair up. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Can I rewind this at all or? >> Um, yeah. Yeah, >> I got it. >> Yeah. And then like the clips are all They're >> right. >> Same. Yeah. Same as just different. >> Gotcha. >> So, is this what you were talking about where you take the customer's cash, you stick it next to the register? >> Yes. This is December 23rd. >> Yeah, that was the first >> at 8:05. [snorts] >> Did you put the money in your pocket just then? Is that what I was seeing? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Process. The cash will go on the side here and go in the pocket. >> Okay. Another one at 8:49. Now, >> how were you folks able to determine the total >> um based on so um watching um the cash be handed and then um the amount that was typed in >> Yeah. >> comparison to the tickets. >> Yeah. Comparison. Yep. Yeah. So, if it was like you know 120 cash >> all no cash went in all went to the side. Okay. Um and then based on to I could show you um like our reporting what that looks like in terms of the shortages. Oh yeah. So you can I can send this to you but just to give you an idea. So like this is like we have it um we pull it pull it based on like profile >> um and then um I pulled the dates um from incorporate the 23rd and the first >> uh and then you know the um the amounts might be just a slight different just based on like other shortages cashiers waiting on it. Um and then I did it um down here based on yeah the transactions of each day and then yeah watching the video. So for example like the first was like 414 but what I saw based on um cash entered [clears throat] and exchange >> right so for example the the 31st the first one was for 200 the other one was for 40. So that one that other one must have been for 60. >> So based off of the facts and circumstances Burlington does want to pursue with criminal investigation. Okay. So, because of the amount and the pattern of the activity, the way that you conducted yourself, it is a felony. So, yes, you're going to be placed under arrest at this time. If you need to call mom, text her, whatever the case is. Like I said, to show you some form of compassion, go ahead and call her, make a text message, whatever you need to. All right? But at the end of the day, I want to make sure mom's okay as well. So, if there's someone that we need to call for, let's do that. Um, the next thing is I can call the Department of Children and Families and just say, "Hey, look, you know, unfortunately the daughter was placed under arrest today. Mom's, you know, in her mid to late 50s. She's very sick, >> which is what led to the to the incident. So, we're just a little concerned for mom and someone can just go and do a well-being check on her, make sure that she's okay, and offer her some services if she needs it." >> So, essentially what it this is is there's a bond schedule that we have to look at. All right. What the bond schedule is is you pay a certain amount of money to a bondsman, some form of collateral, and you can get out within a few hours. If you're unable to bond yourself out of jail or have someone bond you out, you would have to go to first appearance in the morning. Okay? And then the judge will look over all the paperwork, everything that me and you have talked about that I'm going to put in that paperwork and they'll make a determination from there. >> In the end, she was charged with theft for stealing more than $2,000. She was sentenced to 2 days in jail, 24 months of probation, and 200 hours of community service along with restitution payments. After Latoya's case, where surveillance footage provided a step-by-step account of the alleged wrongdoing, attention shifts to another workplace incident. This time, an employee reportedly caught stealing on the job reacted not by cooperating, but by reaching out to her mother in an attempt to intervene. >> Said, "I sold merchandises when I'll be paying for the merchandise." I don't I don't understand this job, bro. I really don't understand this job. >> On the 20th of August, 2024, police were dispatched to a Cracker Barrel. After management discovered that thousands of dollars were missing from the store. Once the losses were identified, the manager began reviewing the records and quickly realized that the situation was far more serious than a simple accounting error. >> Okay. So, what's the story behind it? So, she's basically over about 3 months. She stole $2,300 worth of cash out of her. >> Okay. and request charges. Do you have arrest charges? We have a written statement. Okay. >> What is she wearing? Uh pink shirt, pink polo shirt, black uh brown apron, pink polo shirt, black, white, black bonnet on her. >> Black, white, fem, and black. So, she's leaving to go home or she just off. >> According to management, the employee had been under investigation for nearly 3 months with reported losses exceeding $2,300. When they learned that she was preparing to leave, officers moved quickly to prevent her from walking away before the matter could be addressed. But the cops would soon learn that catching a thieving female employee was one thing. Getting her to admit to her crimes was another ball game entirely. >> Hello. >> Okay. >> Don't think stupid. Okay. >> Oh, nice. >> Stop. Drop what you're doing. Drop it. >> Set it down. >> Put it in my van. >> Set it down. >> Set it down. Set it down before I knock it down. >> Sorry. My mom. >> Set it down before I knock it down. Let go of this. >> Grab her hand. Grab that one from her hand. >> As investigators reviewed the evidence, the alleged scheme and the methods used to carry it out became increasingly clear. >> So, I got her for about $2,364. >> Okay. Um, here's her statement. When she refused to write down there under she didn't put I didn't put that much. Here's her written statement to taking cash. You can have that one. Um, so what she would do is a guest would walk up with the ticket. She would not scan it in the register and then she would be on her phone cash but the extra she on her phone and then she would um end of her shift to take all the time she left the day she get the tally of it and then take out an extra. So, from about May to the end of July, almost $2,400. >> Okay. And do we have it uh written out of all the days on how much you took on what day and this and that yada yell for? >> Okay. Uh can I get that printed out if possible? Um >> or emailed to me. >> Yeah. >> So, that's the date and then that was a time that it was over. That's her clock in and that was the amount that she took. >> Okay. >> Or that she didn't ring up. And I've got it kind of at the bottom. Run out of video. I've got probably 12, 13, 14 videos on there. It's a one drive link. >> Yeah, >> I'll email that to you and I'll put a player on there, too. So, it's all just loaded up. >> When confronted with the findings, cooperation was not what followed. As the evidence continued to build, her reaction only added another layer to the investigation. >> Again, you're being detained, pending an investigation. Be Alec, I'm telling you. >> Will I be able to come home tonight? >> Can I tell you what's going on? I have no idea what's going on. Okay. He I'm trying to talk to my mom and he up here being difficult. >> Okay. So, okay. >> I'm in here. I could at least have my phone while I'm in here. I'm not doing anything. I'm trying to talk to my mother >> and I was playing with this cuz I'm okay. What's going I'm trying to see what's going on, sir. >> Again, there is >> What is I being detained for? I just told him everything I needed to know. Lying on me saying I stole this type of money when I didn't steal no money. Just like they said. They said I stole merchandise is when I'll be paying for the merchandise. I don't I don't understand their job, bro. I really don't understand their job. I'm the sweetest person, bro. I don't do that type of job. Just piss me off. I just want to go home. >> In the end, she was charged with felony grand theft for allegedly stealing more than $2,000 from Cracker Barrel. Latoya's case showed how accountability eventually catches up, even when cooperation breaks down. The next case follows a restaurant employee whose alleged theft from the safe was paired with outright denial despite investigators uncovering a clear financial discrepancy. Signing with this restaurant employee, a perfect thief who was caught stealing straight from the company's safe and dared to put on an Oscar worthy performance [music] of denial placed under arrest. >> I'll let you know in just a second. going into that safe, removing the envelope, taking $427 of cash and putting in your pocket. Yes, sir. >> I never took $427 of cash. I took nothing. No, I I opened up that safe to look for uh some something else. >> So, then why would you take the money? >> I did not take any money at all, sir. >> On December the 22nd, [music] 2024, officers were called to a restaurant in regards to one of their employees who was caught stealing from the company's safe. When the police arrived, they wasted no time at all and the suspect didn't see them coming. >> Hey, Mike. Put your hand on your back for me. What's going on? Put your hands on your back. What's going on, bro? Just relax in just a second. >> You're my girl, correct? >> Yes, sir. >> Give me place under arrest. >> I'll let you know in just a second. >> What am I being under? I just got >> Okay, >> that's fair. What's going on? >> Loosen your wrist. >> 1141. >> You have your ID on you? >> You don't have your ID on you? >> Where do you live? >> I just told you that. I will explain that to you in a second. >> I just got here from work. What is going on? >> Come on back here. Let's have a let's have a rest on the wall. >> What did I What the hell did I do? >> Do you have any weapons on you that I need to know about? >> I don't. >> Okay. And you are Michael Burrito. >> What's your middle name? >> Can I What's going on? >> I don't understand what your middle name. >> What did I do wrong? >> Soon after, the police began to question the suspect who thought he can convince the cops of his innocence. Come in here and have a seat. >> Do you have any weapons on you that that I need to know of? >> Okay. Go ahead and have a seat. >> I'm going to leave the door open. >> Have a seat. >> I'm going to take this off, folks. >> Why am I getting placed under arrest? I I can't go to I can't go to jail. >> Well, you can absolutely go to jail. >> No, I know that. I'm just saying I can't like I >> All right. So, we can talk. I'm going to I'm going to read you some things real quick. That way we can have a conversation. Okay, sir. >> Have you ever been read your constitutional Miranda rights before? >> Yes. Okay. So when I ask you a question, I need you to say yes or no. You understand that question. Okay. >> All right. All right. >> Or that's safe. >> Can I talk to some like >> I am going to read you something so you can talk to me. >> Okay. >> You have the right to remain silent. Do you understand? >> Anything you may say may be used against you in court. Do you understand? >> No. >> You have the right to talk to a lawyer before and during questioning. Do you understand? >> Yes. >> If you cannot afford a lawyer and want one, one will be provided for you without questioning, without charge. Yeah. >> Do you understand? >> No. >> Okay. How long have you worked here at Kikis? >> About I would say about uh four or five months now. >> Four to 5 months. >> Yeah. >> Do you have him [music] on David? >> I like >> um >> I think so. >> You think so? >> Yeah. >> Okay. This particular Kikis or Kiki in general? >> This just this particular one. >> Okay. You've not worked anywhere else? You've not worked any any other key? >> No, I haven't. >> Okay, >> Andy, >> what do you need to talk to Andy about? >> Just I want to talk to him, bro. >> This has nothing to do with that. >> My boss. >> What would that have to do with him? I >> I mean, what's going on is what I'm trying to see what's happening. >> You're being investigated. It's a criminal investigation. >> Michael, what's your suffering? >> Um, I'm being crim criminally investigated. >> So, why am I in handcuffs then? Well, that's how we detain people. You understand that, right? >> Yeah. But I mean, I'm I'm just saying. >> Um, you know, I I haven't done anything. So, I I'm like real confused right now. >> That's what we're here to figure out. >> I [music] just got off of probation. 2 years >> for what? >> Not one violation. >> For what? What did you have probation for? >> Uh, it was uh what was it? A burglary to a conveyance. >> Okay. >> Vehicle burglary. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Um, >> should be m i c h a b r i t o. >> My [music] wife's step uh my wife's >> What's your date of birth, Michael? >> August 25th, 1924. >> 825. >> My wife's brother. >> You still live at that address? >> Yeah, that's you, right? It's >> your driver's license picture. >> That's you. >> Yes, that's me. >> Okay. So, you've been identified as a person of Well, a person that stole from this establishment. >> What? Mhm. >> Stole what? >> Do you want to tell me or no? >> I haven't stole anything from you. I mean, I take food home. That's about it. >> Okay. [music] So, I'm going to lay it out on you, okay? Cuz I'm I'm already got the I've already got all the questions I need answered. I just want to have your side and you to be truthful about it [music] >> being investigated. >> Correct. cuz you know there are cameras all over this establishment. >> Yeah, I know. >> Okay. To include [music] in this room. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, why would that camera have you >> accessing that safe and taking [music] money out of it if you haven't stolen from this establishment? >> That is safe. >> Correct. >> I have never tooken any [music] money out of that safe. >> Why would the camera show that thing? And why would people identify you as being the one who >> uh I'm not sure. Right. I've never taken money out of that safe. When when did I take money out that day? >> Yesterday. >> No, I did not. [music] >> Okay. >> No, I did not, sir. Like, can I talk to Andy about this, please? >> No, because that would be in tampering with a witness. >> How? But I'm not arrested. You said that I'm I'm criminally [music] being criminally >> criminal investigations to include witnesses. Yes. >> To include witnesses. >> Right. So, if you talk to your boss, because again, at the end of the situation, it [music] is he's the one that's witnessing everything that's occurring because it is his responsibility. For some [music] reason, somehow, you have you on camera looking right up at that camera, going into that safe, removing the envelope, [music] taking $427 of cash and put it in your pocket. >> I never took $427. You >> take anything? >> Even when the evidence was as [music] clear as day, the suspect chose to drown himself in a pool of deception, unaware that nothing he did would avert the fate that he had brought upon himself. >> I took nothing. No, I I opened up that safe to look for uh some something else for my arm, like another type of medicine for my arm. Cuz I have the medicine. >> Why would a medicine be in a safe? >> I didn't open up the safe. >> You just said you did. >> No, I opened up the cabinet to look for more medicine because [clears throat] >> that medicine cabinet is there. And I have gotten band-aids from Pac, my other manager. He's given me band-aids before from that cabinet. >> Is he all? >> I I don't know. I I I never go into the safe. I never go into the safe. I I I >> So then why would the video have you on it doing it then? >> But I did not take I didn't take you might have had me opening the cabinet. Yes, sir. >> And then removing cash. >> No, not removing cash. >> But there was cash. Why would you do such a thing? >> I [music] didn't I didn't. >> But do you need the money for Christmas gifts or something? Rent or some sort? >> No, sir. I get paid coming. I get paid every by weekly. Every two weeks I get paid, sir. >> Mhm. >> So then why would you take the money? I did not take any money at all, sir. I I did not I I opened the video. >> I already saw the video, right? >> Right. But I didn't take no money. >> It's clear as day. It's you >> as me. What? >> Michael, do you see that camera in the corner right there where I'm playing? Right here. >> Yes, sir. >> Notice this is where is >> Do you not see that? How clear that video is? >> So, it's not we're we're not asking you this out of nowhere. He's asking you these questions for a reason, >> right? >> Your cooperation is key. >> I understand. I already have all the answers I need. >> Right. Okay. So, [music] so, so, >> but truthfulness goes a long way. >> Can I please talk to Andy? I can't go to jail. I I have a son that I have to take care of. >> You have You can absolutely go to jail. >> I I No, I'm not. >> And I'm not going to let you sit here and talk to somebody into not pressing charges against you. >> No, no. I wasn't going to I'm not going to do that. I just want to talk to him and see what's going on. >> I told you what's going on. I literally told you exactly what the allegations are against you. >> And your defense is I don't know what I'm talking about. >> What about my son, though? Whose responsibility is that? >> That's my responsibility. Exactly. Right. And I did not take I You got me on video probably opening the the safe the the opening the cabinet. Yes, I probably opened the cabinet, but I did not take from the safe. I did not I pro I opened up the cabinet yesterday. Yes, because my arm is I'm trying to show you. I just had surgery on my arm. You started Go ahead and stand up and sit, mister. Stand up. Sit in the chair. >> What did I sit next? Hey, Daniel, can you come uh play a portion of the video for me or just have me have access to it so that way I can play it? >> Y, >> are you comfortable being in the same room as it? >> He's very adamant that he didn't. >> All right, >> this is the only I'm not I'm not I'm telling you not to talk to him. Listen, >> I didn't do anything bad then. >> Okay, he's going to play you the video. Okay, fine. >> To prove that it's true. >> Fine. I All right. All right. Look, I didn't take anything out that safe. >> Okay. This video is going to show you different. Here's the video. >> All right. >> Oh, sit down. >> You have to do this, Dan. I have a son I have to take care of. Dan, >> I'm out of my paycheck. >> That's you. >> Take my paycheck. >> Why would you want to take stuff out of your paycheck if it wasn't if nothing was [clears throat] taken? That's you, right? >> If he's saying that I took% Yeah. I'm on my phone, right? >> That's you. Just wait. >> What? yesterday. >> That's you 100%. >> Yeah. Mhm. >> You're watching the camera. Oh, open there. >> Yep. I'm looking. I'm looking. >> Take the envelope out. >> There's no envelope. >> Look, sir. There's envelope. >> Look at your hands. Look right here. Cash. >> What is that? >> Cash you're putting in your pocket. >> You didn't take anything, though. >> That is cash that I put in my pocket. Correct. >> Did you forget about that somehow? >> No. >> You understand? Now you've obstructed my investigation. You lied to me. All right, I'm sorry. >> You have two felony charges now when all I wanted you to do >> I don't need two. No sir, sir. Sir, >> because this is BS. >> This is ridiculous. When the suspect realized that it was all over, he tried to crawl out of guilt using fake [music] remorse. But by then, no one was listening and it was far too late. >> Oh, I can't do anything about this. >> No, please. Can we just >> If you would have been honest with me, I would have reduced it. But you weren't honest. >> Reduced what? >> To just theft. Now you got a felony. >> No, this All right. >> Two felonies. >> Sir, please. Sir, please. Listen to me. >> You had a chance. You know this game. >> No, I'm just saying Michael. Listen to me. Listen to what I'm saying. >> You can't go to jail. >> Yes, you can. Absolutely you can. >> Okay, fine. If you're going to take me to jail, >> I have no choice. These are felony charges. >> Who's pressing charges? >> This establishment. >> Why? >> You stole their money. >> You just stole their money. I >> If I could >> And you're an employee. That's a theft. >> All right. Well, I apologize if I could just >> That has nothing to do with it. >> You had the ability to tell the truth and you lied. You still lied. I showed it to you on camera and you still want to say you didn't do it. >> All right, listen. I'm sorry that I [music] did that. My bad. I understand. >> You act like I'm stupid. Like Officer Darming stupid. Like your bosses are stupid. >> I think they're stupid. >> That's disrespectful, dude. So, go ahead and stand up. >> Hold on. Let me go ahead and stand up, >> sir. Sir, stand up. >> I'm sorry, sir. Wait. Wait. [music] Come on. We're going. You have no Don't do Don't make this worse. We got everything out of here. >> To the left. >> No. Can we go out to the back, please? >> To the left. I got parked in front. Well, actually, you [music] know what? If you want to hold him, I'll bring him out back. We're going to take him out the back. Yes, sir. >> Does he have anything you need off of him like his shirt or anything like that? >> No, sir. >> Okay. [laughter] >> Thank you. >> You got it. I'm going to grab his property. >> Step down. >> Oh, I'm going to grab this. >> Come on. Step down. >> The moment he saw his performance falling flat, [music] he slipped right back into lying. Lying to the fact that every lie made things worse. >> My arm. My arm. My arm. My arm. My arm. >> My arm. My arm. >> Okay. What does your arm have to do with anything? [music] Come on over here. Squeeze your arm. >> Okay, I'm holding you tightly because again, you're a flight risk. >> Ow. Ow. >> What's wrong with your arm? [music] >> I just had surgery. >> Where? >> Surgery on right here. You see the scar? Open open my my sleeve. There's my sleeve. >> Front part of the arm. It says he All right. Spread your feet. You have anything that's going to poke me, stab me, stab me? >> Oh, sure. >> Oh, wait. Everything. >> This is crazy. >> You ever taken anything else? >> I never took $400 out of that safe, though. It was 40 bucks. So, it went from I never took anything to it was $40. You have a pathological liar mentality. I'm just saying you have you said me on camera. >> Yeah, I showed it to you and you still are going to say that you didn't take anything. >> I didn't say I didn't take anything. >> Well, it went it started that way. >> Well, I'm just trying to tell you >> which is absolutely ridiculous. I'm just trying to tell you that you want me to tell you the truth. I'm telling you my problem and everything. >> You had that opportunity way before all this. >> I don't understand. >> I had to show you an actual footage. $400 came from. >> Yeah, >> that's the amount that you stole, sir. >> I only took >> That's what was missing. >> That's not the amount that I stole. >> That's the amount you're being charged with. >> Am I going to have a bond at least? >> Yeah, >> you should. >> I don't know how much it's going to be. Change my hand to 5250. I drive. >> This is crazy. Can I can I call my dad >> at the jail though? Give me the opportunity. >> My phone just to let him go. >> Have a seat cuz he he's by himself and he has heart issues. Just call him on my phone, please. >> Have a seat. What you feeling? >> Just these pills. >> Yeah. They're not meant to be comfortable. No, just a little turn out of B. >> [music]