ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla.,None — Just about everyone knows Appliance Direct, but WFTV found out Monday that thieves are repeatedly stealing from the discount appliance store. In the Altamonte Springs store alone, crooks stole more than $13,000 worth of appliances.
WFTV learned it could be an inside job by at least four employees at the Altamonte Springs store and possibly more employees at other stores. Police say they would pull trucks right up to the loading dock and take off with expensive appliances.
Known for wacky commercials, bright logos and low prices, not even Appliance Direct could have predicted its appliances would be flying out the door at prices this low.
"It was actually pretty gutsy," said Officer Tim Hyer, Altamonte Springs Police Department.
Altamonte Springs police believe employees took off with truckloads of appliances and didn't pay a dime.
"Employees knew most of these appliances weren't inventoried, so there was a low chance they would get caught," Hyer said.
What they didn't count on was other employees turning them in. Investigators believe the employees took washers, dryers, ranges, and refrigerators.
"We're in the tens of thousands of dollars," Hyer said.
Orange County investigators think employees at the store on East Colonial Drive may have done the same thing.
Altamonte Springs police have filed cases with the State Attorney's Office on four employees, including 35-year-old Patrick Carney, a store manager. Carney is also suspected in the Orange County case. When WFTV went to his home, they found out he had just moved.
Nervous neighbors, who didn't want to be identified, said they were shocked.
"I'm surprised. I don't know how you can get away with doing anything like that," a neighbor said.
So far, one employee confessed and returned a couple of items, but most of the stuff just disappeared. The stolen loot was likely sold for cash, police said.
No one at the Altamonte Springs store wanted to talk and no one at company headquarters returned WFTV's call. The State Attorney's Office is looking at the evidence and, so far, no one has been arrested.