A woman identified as Janie McNeal, 55, was arrested and charged with grand theft after allegedly stealing a Burger King employee’s laptop bag containing a laptop and tablet from a restaurant in Florida on Memorial Day. The arrest report states that a training specialist for Burger King had placed his laptop bag in an unoccupied booth while engaging with employees, only to discover it missing shortly after.
Surveillance footage from the restaurant showed a woman, later identified as McNeal, approaching the counter and briefly interacting with a cashier, apparently asking a question. The victim informed police that the stolen Acer laptop, worth $900, and the tablet, valued at $200, were provided to him by Burger King corporate for business purposes.
Although an initial search of the area did not yield any results, an officer from the restaurant soon spotted McNeal crossing the street with a black scooter. Due to the recent theft report involving a female suspect matching McNeal’s description and possessing a scooter, the officer turned to approach her. However, McNeal was observed wearing different clothes and a different colored wig at the time.
Upon being read her Miranda rights, McNeal initially became argumentative but confirmed her understanding and agreed to answer questions. She claimed to have taken the bag because she thought it was hers. However, during the conversation, McNeal’s story regarding her actions after leaving the business changed multiple times.
McNeal was subsequently arrested and charged with grand theft between $750 and $5,000. She did not pay her $2,500 bond and remains in jail.
This incident serves as a reminder for individuals to remain vigilant and secure their personal belongings, even in seemingly safe public spaces. It also highlights the importance of surveillance systems in helping law enforcement identify and apprehend suspects in theft cases.
As the legal process unfolds, it remains to be seen how McNeal’s case will be resolved and what consequences she may face for the alleged theft of the Burger King employee’s laptop and tablet.
