Protecting your business

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Story Published: Jan 26, 2010 at 7:14 PM MST

Story Updated: Jan 26, 2010 at 9:49 PM MST

By Emily Florez

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AMMON - Tuesday's arrest of Michael Baldwin makes one wonder about what happens when a store employee commits a crime? Experts say those kind of crimes can be difficult to detect.

Sergeant Doug Metcalf with the Bonneville Country Sheriffs Office, said, "It's a little harder to catch an employee because they know when and where and what things are going on."

A business owner's nightmare is to have their own trusted employee in on a scam. It happens more than we think. Metcalf explained, "The stores here locally see a lot of employees that do get arrested."

There are some things you can look out for. "Pay attention to what's going on in your business. If things start coming up missing and there is no explanation for it you've got to start thinking, 'Okay he's here alone and who is doing what when we are not around.' Take little things and look at them closer than you normally would," Metcalf explained.

But there is more to watch for. Managing Partner of Texas Roadhouse in Ammon, Patrick Bradford, said, "Anytime something happens it peaks your awareness and makes you want to be sure you're following policies and procedures properly."

Police say when you are going to deposit your money, do it at random times. Do not exit out of the back doors. Deposit the money with two people, and if possible your safest bet would be to use an armored service car to come pick up the money. Just before leaving your business look around to be sure there's nothing suspicious.

And something we can all do as a community to keep these businesses safe is be aware of what's going on around you because you don't know when you may become a witness to a crime.

Metcalf said, "We have seen an increase. We have had some bank robberies, cash stores robbed, things like that so it is on the increase. But it's not an everyday occurrence. People need to pay attention to their surroundings."

Remember, this could happen to anyone, so play it safe, you don't want to become the next victim.

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