Black Friday, often the busiest shopping day of the year, took a turn for the worse at a Joliet, Illinois Walmart. A cashier, 20-year-old Daja Holly, was caught on camera allegedly stealing money from registers on multiple occasions.
The incident unfolded when investigators confronted Daja with video evidence of her taking money from the registers and placing it into her pockets. Despite the clear footage, Daja denied the allegations, claiming the money was her own. She repeatedly asked to see the video evidence for herself.
Security camera footage shows a woman removing cash from a cash register
As investigators pressed Daja for a written statement explaining the missing money and the footage, she became increasingly agitated. Her frustration escalated, leading to a confrontation with the officers.
When asked to turn in her work vest and belongings, Daja’s anger boiled over. She refused to comply with the officers’ requests, leading to a physical altercation during which she claims an officer broke her nail. This escalated the situation further, resulting in Daja being tased and placed under arrest.
Police officers restraining a woman on the floor
During the arrest, Daja continued to resist, even throwing her phone at the officers. She repeatedly insisted on her innocence, claiming she needed to make a phone call.
Upon searching her belongings, officers discovered an additional $100 bill in Daja’s purse. Further investigation revealed a fake ID, which Daja admitted to possessing. She claimed it was only used for entering bars. Despite the mounting evidence, Daja maintained that the cash found in her possession was withdrawn from her bank account, urging officers to check her transaction history.
Police searching a purse and finding cash
Ultimately, Daja was escorted out of the store by police and booked into jail. She was charged with theft, aggravated assault on a peace officer, and resisting arrest. Daja pled not guilty to the charges and her case is currently pending.
This incident serves as a stark reminder that employee theft is a serious offense with potentially severe consequences, including criminal charges and lasting damage to one’s reputation.
