Worker uses customer’s card to shop online

A Starbucks employee was fired after stealing a customer's bank card details and using it to spend $30,000 on online retailer SHEIN.

The woman, who appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Wednesday, pleaded guilty to two counts of simple larceny and was given two years probation after repaying the money. The prosecutor explained that the complainant accidentally dropped her bank card while making a purchase. Another customer took it up and placed it on the counter.

"The accused then took up that card from the counter, placed it in the cash machine drawer, took it back out. It was observed that she took pictures of both the front and back of the card and then put it back in the machine," the prosecutor said. Six days later, the complainant received receipts for unauthorised online purchases. Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell expressed shock at the use of the stolen funds.

"No, not SHEIN! The supermarket? Or the pharmacy? No man, you never--you never get your receipt from SHEIN. Is food you take it to buy," she said.

"I want to know how much more people's cards she take. You've been around long enough to know that stealing is a bad thing. My concern about you is that your behaviour is that of a thief, because you knew exactly what to do. It's not the first you're doing it, but you got caught this time," she added.

The accused, who claims she had no prior criminal record, shared that she had previously worked at a call centre and a preparatory school. She admitted to achieving only one CSEC subject but revealed plans to begin cosmetology school in January.

"I did EDPM because I like computers," she said, prompting Burrell to interject.

"No, but that's the problem now--you like computers, that's why you are getting in trouble. If you like computers, you have to be responsible."

After restitution was made in full, the judge issued a probation order and a stern warning.

"I think that people steal the way that you stole is always going to be tempted, and you know what they say about yielding to temptation. You now have a criminal record. We have to watch out for you."