On December 19th, 2025, deputies responded to a Five Below store following a report that an employee had been voiding transactions and allowing customers to walk out with merchandise without paying. Investigators soon uncovered a scheme involving more than 160 items and over $1,300 in losses. >> Go back to the back. Yes. >> So, what's going on? >> Um so, she had a It's a felony charge of stuff that she stole. >> Got you. >> Uh you don't have to finish the I got the gist of everything, but I didn't get the story cuz I was up front cashier. >> Okay. I think so. She's here. >> Hello. Hello. Hello. >> So, what's going on? >> So, we're just waiting for our regional asset protection manager to hop back on this call. He's on a call with uh our HR people right now, and then he'll be able to give you some insights and follow up with that. >> Okay. >> But, if you're cool with just chilling in here until he gets back on. >> Yeah, I mean, that's good. >> Okay. And then, you're good. >> Okay, I'm back. So, uh I was hoping to get back and Hello, officer. How are you? >> Hello, I'm good. How are you? >> Hey, we uh I was on a conference call, and a decision was just being made in this matter as to which way it was going to proceed. Obviously, uh a phone call was made to you in regards to the matter. So, um I'll just briefly introduce myself. I'm actually preparing a document to send to you. Uh my name is Gordon Born. I'm the regional asset protection manager for the Southeast for Five Below. Uh with our our department, uh we monitor a lot of exception reports and cameras, and make a very long story short, uh some reports had come into the store that one of our associates was seen uh under-ringing and doing some things at the store. Uh we began observation of both of our reports and our cameras, and we observed this Kanika Staton, who by the way has been very professional and cooperative with her. However, uh she was involved in seven different acts over uh the 12 12 and 12 12 14, where she would have customers, they appeared to be people that she knew, directed them to the register, they would ring up large amounts of merchandise, and then at the very end of the transaction, she would mid-void the transaction, and no attempt would be made to pay so that merchandise exited the building. Uh it's all been documented on video. Uh I have a complete summary of everything, which can be provided I can give you the initial summary now, and then obviously video can be provided later, uh but the total that was documented in this particular situation uh of no loss was $1,362.70, and I have been told that we will be following through with prosecution in this matter. So. >> Okay, I got you. >> So, I have a I have this document that what I'm doing is I was just actually sent her um her statement. I'm going to just go ahead and clip that into this document, this Word document, turn it into a PDF, send it to the store immediately, and I think that'll be a great takeaway for you to to to bring back as part of y'all's investigation and follow-up, and then I can give you my contact information for any additional information that you all need. >> Okay. Got you. Perfect. So, is that like a voluntary statement that she made? >> Yes. >> Okay. Do you have like a >> We ask that of everybody that's involved in any type of theft activity at the store. >> Okay, so what happens if they continue doing that? >> I >> Um >> I don't >> What happens if I call somebody cuz you know, so I know cuz you know people don't have immediate family to call. Yeah. >> And when I asked her her reason, she said she just moved here from Tennessee trying to help out some people or herself. Um you know, she's she was hired on November 20th with us. >> Okay, Shaniqua. I just got a couple questions for you, but before I ask you any questions, I'm just going to read you your rights, okay? That doesn't mean you're in trouble. That doesn't mean I'm taking you to jail. That means I have to read it. Okay. So do you just want like from your perspective like what's what's going on? What's happening? >> I have no idea, but I'm just going to hold myself accountable, okay? So I can just get this over with. I did it and I apologize and I'm willing to pay them however I can. If they want to take my check next check, they can. You know, it's whatever. If you need me to go to go to jail, if I got to go, then I got to go. >> Okay. So do you want to >> What did you do? >> Um it was some void transactions. >> Okay. >> Yes, I >> Okay. >> Yes, I >> All right, do you want to break down like a [snorts] timeline for me of like what all happened, when it happened, stuff like that? >> Um it was the 12th and the 14th of December. >> Okay. >> Um I guess the later man came to the register and I voided transactions and they left the store. >> Okay. And was that the only two times that it happened? Did it happen after that? >> So I'll say this right. Yes, I'll say yes. >> Okay. Do you know the approximate value of the amount of voided transactions there were? >> They said $1,362. >> Okay. All right. Do you have any >> Were they So, they were people that you knew? And were these like Christmas gifts? Or is that what you were trying to do? Or were you just looking to like sell it on like Facebook Marketplace or something? >> No, no, sir. No, sir. I guess this that was hitting somebody. I'm just going to put it like this. Well, no, I don't know. >> Like Christmas gifts for other people type thing. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I'm just I'm I'm just wondering. >> Yeah, yes, yes. >> Okay. I got you. I got you. And then Sir, are you still there? >> Mhm. >> Can you hear me? >> Yes, sir, I am. >> Okay. So, you I'm assuming you want to But I can't put those words in your mouth. You want to pursue charges. >> Yeah. As a representative of Five Below, we wish to prosecute in this matter. >> Okay. I understand. >> Yes, sir, to answer your question. I don't mean to sound so sterile on there, but that's the statement we give the officer. >> No, no, you're good. >> After everything after everything was reviewed and all the things that we considered when we made that decision, I conferred with our corporate office and everybody involved and they said that, you know, unfortunately due to Ms. Kanika, due to the circumstances and the aggressiveness of the thefts and everything that we have to pursue prosecution in this matter. >> I understand. >> We'll let the courts decide how she should go about paying it back. >> Okay. I got you. Well, Ms. Kanika, if you wouldn't mind sitting up. Would you mind holding that for me, please? >> Okay, can I just make one phone call to just let them know so they can just tell a friend? >> We can do We can do that in a little bit, okay? Right now, I'm just going to have you put your hands behind your back. And you too. I got you. In the totality of the circumstances, you're going to be placed under arrest for theft. Put your >> hand This way. >> This way. >> Yeah, you got it. That way. Is she allowed to have her phone in her pocket? We can bring it with you, yeah. >> Oh, don't bring it in. >> Yeah. >> And Bianca, I think I have >> Can you grab this for me? >> Okay. It's probably paperwork Have you communicated to uh her the disposition from HR? >> I will right now. So, from now we have or we're proceeding forward with un- employing you from the company. So, you no longer work for Five Below. Uh we do appreciate everything that you've done for the company. You're great with the customers. [music] Thank you for your time you served with us. But from then on you are no longer employed. >> Okay, Bianca, one more thing. Don't forget the key, okay? >> Okay. >> I got to show you this thing, too. >> I'm going to go >> Yeah, and my jacket hold on. Bianca, and you know my little red little jacket right there? My red little jacket that I had took off. Give that to him, too. Please. Okay. Thank you. >> Do you have the paperwork? I'll grab it. I'll grab it for you. >> Okay. No, I don't have it. It's still in there. Can I get my jacket, please? >> Your jacket, where's it at? >> It's right there on the thing right there. >> Is it that flannel one? >> yes, ma'am. >> Okay. >> I can stay right here. He can get it. >> This one right here? >> Yes. And Bianca, he got the keys right here. >> Keys are where? >> He ain't got them right here. Right there, you see it? It's the green color. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Thank you. Ooh, that's my baby. >> Okay, we're going to come over to this side. >> Which one? On this side right here? Yes, ma'am. This one right here. Let me stand out of your face the car. >> Okay. Would you mind holding this for me? Thank you. >> And before I search you, I'm just going to ask, do you have anything on you that's going to poke me, stab me, hurt me? >> I don't have anything on me but the papers that I was holding. >> You have a paper? >> Yeah, with the numbers on the side of the car. >> Okay. >> This one. >> Wait, what is It's okay. I got you. >> Okay. Okay. >> I'm going to take this out of your >> Okay. >> Okay. Can I hold this for you? Thank you. >> [screaming] >> Okay, and then if you just want to turn around, I'm just going to search the front of you. >> Okay. >> You hold that, please. Thank Okay. I want to say that have a seat in here, but before you sit down, I just want to ask do you see anything in the back of the car? >> No, ma'am. >> Okay. You can go ahead and have a seat. Okay. >> You going to get my purse and my bag? >> Yes, ma'am. It's going to come with you. So, if we get to the jail and anything is found in the back of this car, it's going to belong to you, okay? I just want to make sure you understand. >> She was charged with grand theft property value of $750 to $5,000. Share your thoughts in the comments below and don't forget to like and subscribe.