by EMILY MELTON
News Reporter
 
Perhaps enjoying a good burger and soft drink is not the only activity taking place at McDonald’s.

Detective Glen Kornhauser of the Boone Police Department said Daniel F. Bennett, 22, was arrested for the embezzlement of $450 from McDonald’s in Boone, located on Blowing Rock Road.

Daniel F. Bennett is being charged with the embezzlement of $450 from the McDonald’s on Blowing Rock Road in Boone. Photo by Holt Menzies

According to arrest reports, Bennett, a Boone resident, was detained by Appalachian State University Police and brought to the Boone Police Department for arrest processing Oct. 29.

“[Bennett] was arrested for taking money from the front register while he was working one night,” Kornhauser said.

Embezzlement, the stealing of company funds by an employee, was reported July 7.

Regardless of the occurrence or amount, embezzlement is a felony, Kornhauser said.

Kornhauser appeared before a Watauga County magistrate and presented the probable cause seeking a warrant for the offense Aug. 8.

It took some time before police were able to track him down. 

“[Bennett] was moving from couch to couch,” Kornhauser said.

Bennett was placed under a $3,000 secured bond, and his court date is scheduled Dec. 2.

There are no records of Bennett’s enrollment at Appalachian State University.

According to North Carolina General Statute 14-90, if the value of the property embezzled is less than $100,000, the person is guilty of a Class H felony.

A Class H felony carries a possible fine of up to $10,000, a potential jail sentence of up to six years, or both, according to statute.

“Embezzlement by employees can happen,” Alexis “Alex” Serrano, sophomore criminal justice major said. “There’s been many times an employee [has] stolen from the place that they work.”

Serrano said employers must choose their employees wisely, and employees must be trustworthy before they are hired.

“If [an employee] working in a restaurant, or anywhere where there’s easy access to a cash register, [needs] extra cash, [employees] might be susceptible to take [money],” he said.

Serrano said embezzlement by anyone is unfortunate.

“I think it’s unfortunate that employees need the money bad enough to take it,” he said. “And it’s not fair to the company that earned it.”

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