Nordstrom Boca Raton Sales Clerk Charged With Fraud
BY: STAFF REPORT | BocaNewsNow.com
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2024 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A longtime sales clerk at Nordstrom in Boca Raton Town Center Mall is facing multiple fraud charges after security in the store alleged that she ran a fake return, gift card, and shipping scam. Boca Raton Police arrested Sally Kutcher of the 10300 block of Brookville Lane in West Boca Raton. She is free on $10,000 bond.
BocaNewsNow.com obtained the arrest report which outlines what Nordstrom security said Kutcher did. Here is the full text of that report:
"Upon arrival, I made contact with (security) who advised he was made aware of the suspect's actions after a transaction was flagged into their system as suspicious. The security representative explained that on 09-29-2024 at approximately 1608 hours Sally is seen on CCTV without any merchandise of customer present. Kutcher then proceeds to conduct a return transaction for the amount of $172. Kutcher puts the credit of $172 onto a store gift anount of $172. card. Security advised that Kutcher came into the store for her scheduled shift with no merchandise or bags. The only thing he had was a small clutch that would be difficult to fit a bottle of perfume in.
The security representative advised while backtracking Kutcher's actions, they notice there was another incident that day that led to further investigation. At 1208 hours, shortly after coming into work, Kutcher is seen selecting 5 denims and places them by her work register (Kutcher is assigned to the handbag section of the store). The denim remain untouched until 1658 hours. Kutcher then pretends to conduct a transaction with no customer at her register of even logged into the register. The security representative explained, normally when an employee is conducting a transaction with a customer, they need to be logged in and the screen should be on the purchasing mode. The security representative advised on CCTV you can seen that the register screen was left in sleep mode and never utilized. He also explained that this is not common practice and is against store policy. Normally when an employee makes a transaction, he or she needs to conduct that transaction with employee or supervisor. After Kutcher had finished the transaction, she had placed the 5 denims and 2 shirts into a gift box to be sent out. Security reviewed the (transaction) and showed this gift box was sent to Kutcher's home.
On 11-09-2024 at 1611 hours, Kutcher is observed on CCTV selecting items throughout the store. At 1621 hours, Kutcher is seen demagnetizing the items and placed them into a gift box. Kutcher than takes the gift box and places it on a ship station in the loading dock. Another security representative advised she was able to verify that the intended address was to Kutcher's home address. The total loss for this incident was $363.
I met with Kutcher and prior to speaking with her, I read Kutcher her Miranda warnings from a pre-printed card. Kutcher understood her rights and was willing to speak with me. Kutcher advised she was not in the right head space and did admit on doing these mentioned transactions. Kutcher advised she was asked by a neighbor to conduct the return. It should be noted, during my interaction with Kutcher she was not forthcoming, and her story did not make any sense. Kutcher alleges that a neighbor in her complex told her to return the perfume on 09-29-2024 and put it onto a gift card. Kutcher then said she works here. She wasn't intentionally stealing and she was waiting for one of her colleagues to ring her up but didn't. She ultimately ended up sending the items to herself without paying for it. Kutcher later advises (that) employees can make purchases and send (them) out. It should be noted, Kutcher has been employed with Nordstrom's since 11-22-2022 and has multiple other transactions the correct way. Security verified Kutcher has over 100 previous employee transactions done the correct way with another employee or supervisor.
Subsequently, after my investigation, I found probable cause to arrest Kutcher for the following: Organized Scheme to Defraud (less than $20,000) pursuant to F.s.s: 817.034(4) (a) (3), and is additionally being charged with Grand Theft pursuant to F.s.s. 812.014(2) (c) (1). Kutcher was then placed into BRPD handcuffs and escorted to my patrol vehicle. Kutcher was then escorted to BRPD holding facility while my paperwork was conducted. Kutcher. was then transported to Palm Beach County Jail."
Sally Kutcher was booked into jail around 7 p.m. on Tuesday. She was released on bond early Wednesday morning. A court date is pending.
