Caught Stealing from the Cash Register at Work

Hi, last week on a particular day I took a 100 out the register at work but then my manager did a count during the day and realized we were short and filed a report. 30 min later I managed to put the 100 back in the register. Today Loss prevention interviewed me telling me they saw it on camera and made me write a statement on what I did. I then asked is there going to be any legal consequences because of this? And he replied “most likely not”. Do you think they will put forward legal action? And if they do can they file charges against me although I put it back in the register?

I and nobody else knows i they are going to report the crime to the authorities. They certainly can do so.

It matter not a lick that you put it back.

The crystal ball is out for cleaning, the magic 8 ball is broken, and Madame Zuleika is on vacation. No one has any clue whether they will take any legal action. They can. And no, it doesn't matter a whit that you put it back.

I'm surprised you haven't been terminated and arrested.

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Quoting cbg

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The crystal ball is out for cleaning, the magic 8 ball is broken, and Madame Zuleika is on vacation. No one has any clue whether they will take any legal action. They can. And no, it doesn't matter a whit that you put it back.

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How long do they have to decide to pursue legal action ? And is it likely

The odds are somewhere between 0 and 100%. We have no way of judging where on the scale they will fall.

They have until the statute of limitations expires.

Actually, it does matter that the money was put back. Not in terms of the letter of the law, the theft had occurred at the point the money was taken. But in terms of whether anyone would waste a lot of people's time, particularly a jury, where the harm was corrected so quickly. I'd be pissed as hell if I was asked to sit through such a trial as a juror...

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Quoting asa_jim

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Actually, it does matter that the money was put back. Not in terms of the letter of the law, the theft had occurred at the point the money was taken. But in terms of whether anyone would waste a lot of people's time, particularly a jury, where the harm was corrected so quickly. I'd be pissed as hell if I was asked to sit through such a trial as a juror...

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Sorry but no, you can’t unring this bell. It can be prosecuted successfully. Especially considering the op returned the cash only after realizing the manager was aware of the shortage, it looks like exactly what it was: oh shit I’m going to get caught. Maybe if I put the money back they will think it was their counting error.



Another concern is; has the op had a record of her cash drawer being short? This could be only the beginning of their investigation.

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Quoting Wantagin

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Today Loss prevention interviewed me telling me they saw it on camera and made me write a statement on what I did.

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If they had it on video you probably would have been arrested on the spot instead of being asked to write a confession.

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Quoting RandallCS

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If they had it on video you probably would have been arrested on the spot instead of being asked to write a confession.

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Not necessarily true. People that get caught stealing have often stolen before. The employer often chooses to perform an in house investigation where they may get an employee to admit to other theft. The confession also makes both criminal and civil prosecution easier.

agree that the employer wouldn't immediately call the police, but would probably investigate and honestly some even keep the thief employed.

the answer is to stop stealing from others, then you wouldn't have to worry about the negative consequences.

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Quoting PolarLord

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Hey guys I was just caught stealing from walmart and Right aid I am a minor and never done anything like this before I stole Pokémon cards as well I am 16 and a honors student I just wanted to go on top a ride when I went crazy and stole up to 50$ worth from right aid and 600 worth from walmart I was detained but not booked I was released to my parents right after the cop arrested me I did not go to jail/ or the deputies office or anything like that so I don't know what I am suppose to do the people at walmart were not to mad but I am banned from going there but that was it I haven't herd about right aid yet either since the theft happened in two different counties I do not know what will happen any insight will help I am litteraly shaking as I right this and I know it was wrong please help

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Honor student? With that run-on sentence?

Well, the stores and police have time on their side and plenty of time to decide how they want to deal with it. I'd expect to certainly hear from Walmart, though, especially since it was $600 worth of...Pokemon cards? You chucked your perfect record for Pokemon cards?! I guess we all have our price...I just didn't think it would be Pokemon cards with a retail value of less than four figures. I guess you really wanted to be a hundredaire. It's like a millionaire but with hundreds, not millions. I'm over-explaining because you are an honor student at a school that allows your to write as you did in your initial post.

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Quoting RandallCS

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If they had it on video you probably would have been arrested on the spot instead of being asked to write a confession.

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The problem with video is that it is often unclear what has happened, and cash denominations are often not entirely clear. Video can be subject to interpretation. A written and signed confession, on the other hand, is pretty daming and places the video into context. I've been in the unfortunate position more than a few times of telling a reporting business that no arrest could be made at the time of the call since the video they relied upon was insufficient, and there was not (yet) sufficient evidence to support the allegation. Usually such a case could be made, but relying too heavily on video is sloppy and far too often unreliable.

When I have investigated a report of internal theft, it usually was at the conclusion of the internal investigation. Sometimes that same day, other times, days or weeks later.

They have a written confession, so it would be possible for them to charge you. The loss prevention officer said that you were "most likely" not going to be charged, but that's not the final word. They have until the statue of limitations to charge you. Given the possibility of being arrested for this, it would be wise to begin looking into lawyers in your area in case anything does come of this which it very well might. Also, if you have stolen from them previously, it may come out during their internal investigation and lead to charges for these incidents as well.