In Albany, Georgia, the threat to restaurant owners didn’t come through a broken window—it came from behind the counter.
Four former employees of San Joe’s To Go, a local restaurant in the SGA area, have been arrested following a months-long investigation into alleged theft and embezzlement. Authorities say the individuals—William Mobley, Brianna Crumley, Carolyn Young, and Brittany Smith—were involved in a coordinated scheme to steal from the business while on the clock.
The arrests come at a time when internal theft is quietly becoming one of the most damaging issues in the restaurant industry. While many operators invest in protecting against external threats, it’s often the trusted team members, wearing the uniform and running daily operations, who can inflict the most financial harm.
“This wasn’t a smash-and-grab. This was methodical,” said one law enforcement official close to the case. “It’s the kind of theft that adds up day after day and can cripple a small business without ever setting off a traditional alarm.”
According to the owner of San Joe’s To Go, the investigation began when cash flow and inventory discrepancies were noticed over several weeks. Suspicious refunds, voids, and register irregularities began to surface – raising red flags that couldn’t be ignored.
Fortunately, the business had recently upgraded its security approach with an integrated surveillance and POS monitoring system. The combination of synced video footage, transaction data, and exception reporting allowed management to identify specific patterns of theft and tie them directly to employee activity.
“It’s one thing to suspect something is off. It’s another to have the footage, receipts, and timestamps all lined up to confirm it,” said the owner, who credits their loss prevention partner with helping build a rock-solid case.
This is far from an isolated case. Restaurants across the country are facing a growing wave of internal theft as employees take advantage of high-volume shifts, lenient oversight, and outdated systems. From ghost sales to sweetheart deals and gift card fraud, dishonest actions behind the counter are now a leading source of loss for hospitality businesses.
The four former employees now face charges ranging from theft by taking to embezzlement. The Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, with additional charges possible.
For restaurant owners, this case serves as a wake-up call: internal theft isn’t just possible—it’s probable. But with the right tools in place, operators can see what’s really happening beyond the receipt.