Walmart employee arrested for nearly $98,000 cash theft

A former Walmart employee in Williston, North Dakota, was arrested December 31, 2025, and charged with theft over $50,000 after an affidavit alleged he stole $97,955 in cash over several months in 2025. Court paperwork describes surveillance footage and an internal interview that together prompted criminal charges and an asset protection probe.

Court documents cited surveillance showing the employee using a cash recycler to obtain cash, concealing it in empty bags and later removing the funds. The affidavit states he admitted during an interview with Walmart asset protection to taking cash over a six month period. His bond was set and court dates are scheduled as the criminal case moves forward.

The allegations underscore how cash-handling technology and store procedures can both prevent and, if subverted, enable internal theft. Cash recyclers automate counting and reconciliation but also create touchpoints where employees with access can manipulate transactions or remove funds. For front-line associates and managers, the incident is a reminder that asset protection teams routinely review footage and transaction logs and that interviews with corporate investigators can lead to criminal referrals.

For workers, the immediate consequences can be practical and cultural. Stores often respond to alleged internal theft with review of cash-handling protocols, closer oversight of till access and shift handoffs, and targeted retraining. Staff may see increased audits, more frequent reconciliations, and changes to responsibility assignments for cash reconciliation and bank drops. Those changes can add administrative work on top of usual retail duties and can affect scheduling and shift flexibility.

The criminal exposure in this case also illustrates personal risk for employees who are accused. Theft over statutory thresholds typically triggers felony charges that carry potential jail time, fines, and restitution if convicted. Beyond the legal consequences, an arrest and pending prosecution can lead to termination, difficulty finding new retail work, and civil recovery actions by employers.

Walmart has long invested in asset protection teams and surveillance systems to limit shrink, but internal investigations that progress to criminal charging are relatively uncommon and tend to prompt companywide reminders of policy. For associates, vigilance around cash procedures, clear reporting of irregularities, and adherence to reconciliation protocols are immediate safeguards.

As the case proceeds through the court system, employees at the Williston store and across the company can expect tighter controls and renewed emphasis on audit trails and compliance. The outcome of the prosecution will also shape how asset protection balances deterrence, internal discipline, and coordination with law enforcement going forward.