$400,000.00 Stolen from a Single Dollar General Store in Alabama in a Year!

Retail theft takes many forms, but few are as deceptive—and costly—as “Sweet Hearting.” This type of internal fraud can quietly drain a store’s profits for months or even years before being discovered. A recent case in Grand Bay, Alabama, highlights just how devastating this crime can be.

In a shocking scheme, a theft ring operating inside a Dollar General store stole nearly $400,000 worth of merchandise in just over a year. The criminals? A store manager, an employee, and their friends and family—people who were supposed to be trusted members of the business.

So, how did they pull it off? And more importantly, how could this have been prevented sooner?

What is “Sweet Hearting” in Retail?

Sweet Hearting occurs when a cashier deliberately undercharges or doesn’t charge at all for items purchased by family, friends, or accomplices. This is often done in ways that make the transaction appear legitimate to security cameras, but in reality, the store is losing money with every “sale.”

• ✅ Pretending to scan items while blocking the barcode.
• ✅ Charging for one item but bagging multiple items for free.
• ✅ Applying fake discounts or voiding transactions after checkout.

What may start as a small “favor” can quickly grow into a full-scale organized theft operation—costing retailers tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

How the Alabama Dollar General Heist Worked

• A manager and another employee orchestrated the scheme.
• They allowed three friends and family members to load up shopping baskets with merchandise.
• At checkout, the employees pretended to ring up the items while only charging for a fraction of them—or none at all.
• This theft cost the store $30,000 per month—for over a year!

By the time the scheme was discovered, the store had already lost close to $400,000.

How Were They Caught?

Thanks to the Dollar General corporate team and an investigation by the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, the theft ring was eventually arrested and charged. However, it took over a year to uncover the fraud—by then, the damage was done.

How Retailers Can Prevent Sweet Hearting & Theft

Standard surveillance cameras are no longer enough—employees who commit fraud know how to avoid detection. The best way to catch and stop Sweet Hearting is by integrating POS transaction data directly into your security system.

Recommended Security Solutions

1. Link Your Cash Registers to Your Video Surveillance System

Using the AVE VSIPro-HD #AP 102015, you can connect your point-of-sale (POS) system with your security cameras. This integration ensures that:

• ✅ All scanned transactions appear in real-time on the video feed.
• ✅ Managers can verify that every item scanned matches the customer’s purchases.
• ✅ Suspicious transactions can be flagged for review.

2. Upgrade to a DVR/NVR with POS Search Features

Many modern DVRs/NVRs offer POS text overlay and search capabilities, allowing you to:

• ✅ Match transaction data with corresponding video footage.
• ✅ Search for voided, discounted, or unusually low sales transactions.
• ✅ Confirm that the correct prices and quantities were charged.

3. Install WDR Cameras with Vari-Focal Lenses Over POS Areas

High-quality Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) cameras with adjustable zoom lenses allow for:

• ✅ Clear, detailed footage of transactions—even in varying lighting conditions.
• ✅ The ability to zoom in and confirm each scanned item.

Stop Retail Theft Before It Starts

By fully integrating your DVR/NVR system with POS transaction data, you can:

• ✅ Monitor sales in real-time to catch suspicious behavior.
• ✅ Search and review past transactions to investigate fraud.
• ✅ Deter employees from stealing in the first place!

Retail theft costs businesses billions of dollars every year—but you don’t have to be a victim. Investing in advanced POS-integrated security solutions can protect your profits, reduce fraud, and hold dishonest employees accountable.

Need Help Securing Your Retail Business?

AVE specializes in POS security integration and can help you connect your cash registers, DVR/NVR systems, access control, and more.

📞 Contact us today 800-955-5201 to learn how you can prevent Sweet Hearting and stop theft before it happens!