An Employee Theft Investigation – Atlanta Georgia

Several years ago, while working as a loss prevention detective for a big box retailer I was confronted with a rather complex employee theft investigation. Our team became suspicious of the store’s cleaning crew and my manager requested that I come in early to watch them to see if they were indeed stealing merchandise before the store opened. Using my considerable ninja-like skills (and my manager’s key) I managed to sneak into the building undetected and began observing the cleaning crew. I quickly noticed that the store’s assistant manager was also in early and working on the loading dock.

The assistant manager loaded several pieces of electronic equipment into a large box, disarmed the store’s rear exit alarm, and walked out. At this point I began a different employee theft investigation. I made my way around the side of the building where I observed the assistant manager placing the box into the back of his SUV and covering it with a large blanket. I immediately attempted to contact my manager but got no answer. I tried to reach the district manager but also came up empty. I knew my window of opportunity was closing so with my heart in my throat I confronted the assistant manager.

He created a story in which he was supposed to be taking the merchandise to another store in the district because they were short of some items. I cordially, yet forcefully, insisted that we wait in my office for confirmation of this. After about an hour, in which I still wasn’t able to contact my superiors, he finally came clean. Turns out that the cleaning crew was on the up and up, but the assistant manager had created his own business selling stolen goods online. The case was valued at over $34,000. Goes to show, you never know what you may find during an employee theft investigation.

For more information employee theft investigation or employee theft or internal theft contact us at Employee Theft Investigation or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia