Detectives Arrest Wal-Mart Manager for Internal Theft
On Monday, January 8, 2007, the management of the Wal-Mart store, 2826 East Harbor Road, in Portage Township contacted the Ottawa County Sheriffs Office concerning the theft of a large amount of money from the store. Detective Joe Vidal went to the store and began working with the loss prevention officers from Wal-Mart.
The investigation revealed that at approximately midnight on Sunday, January 7, 2007 a person, wearing dark clothing and a ski mask, entered the store through the front doors. The person first went into the room where the stores video surveillance equipment is located and disabled many of the cameras throughout the store and offices. The suspect then went to the room where the safe was located and removed over $45,000 in cash. The suspect then went back to the video room, reactivated the cameras and left the store. Video surveillance shows the suspect running out of the store and around to the back of the building. Night workers were present in the store at the time of the theft but did not see the suspect enter of leave the store.
Early in the investigation it became evident that the suspect was likely a former or current employee. The suspect would have had considerable knowledge of the video surveillance system, had keys to the offices and knew the combination to the safe. Prior video surveillance showed a current employee using the video surveillance monitors in the days previous to the theft, an activity that would not be considered part of his normal duties.
On the evening of Thursday, January 11, 2007 detectives from the Ottawa County Sheriffs Office, agents from the Ottawa County Drug Task Force, and officers from the Fremont Police Department served a search warrant at 812 Birchard Avenue in Fremont. That is the home of Dana J. Walker. A substantial amount of the money was recovered (exact amount not yet determined) along with merchandise that had been stolen from the store. Evidence found in his home indicated he had spent a portion of the money, some of which included a down payment on a 2 carat diamond ring.
Dana Walker has been employed by Wal-Mart for about a year and was the night manager at the Port Clinton store. Wal-Mart management reported he was on vacation at the time of the theft and was to return to work next week. Mr. Walker has no known prior criminal record.
Dana J. Walker, age 30
Dana Walker has been charged with Burglary, a felony of the second degree, Safe Cracking, a felony of the fourth degree, and Theft, a felony of the fourth degree. He is currently being held without bond in the Ottawa County Detention Facility.
Questions may be referred to Detective Joe Vidal at 419-734-6850.
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Posted, January 11, 2007