APG takes action to prosecute individuals for alleged theft.(SELECTED TOPIC)(Asset Protection Group )

The Asset Protection Group (APG) of NACM sprung into action earlier this year to start the process for the possible prosecution and conviction of two individuals involved in an alleged theft case against a Maryland wholesale distributor. APG's Director, Gary Weishaar, gathered and compiled evidence and prepared the presentment of possible felony charges. He is scheduled to take that information before a state grand jury in April or May, for a decision on whether to indict the individuals.

Weishaar said he accommodated the victim, a Maryland wholesale distributor, in two ways. First, he agreed to approach the matter as a criminal case, after the victim's expectations from law enforcement officials in Maryland were not met. Secondly, he also agreed to extend the resources and expertise of APG to assist the distributor in this matter even though the company was not currently an APG member. "Although they were not a current member of APG, a business decision was made to assist this distributor to help not only this local multi-billion dollar business, but also to prevent any further attempts like this against current APG members," Weishaar said. Not only has APG assisted in trying to get this case prosecuted, but Weishaar also mentioned he has met with the distributor to review and recommend improvements in its internal controls and external security measures to prevent future incidents of economic loss from these types of fraudulent acts.

The alleged fraudulent scheme began in early January 2005, Weishaar said, when a person called the distributor to place an order. This individual represented himself as an employee of an actual home improvement contractor in the area. A "will-call" order was placed--which means the individual placing the order would come to the facilities of the distributor to pick up the items in the order.

On January 4th, Weishaar said, "The individual came to the distributor accompanied by a second individual." Upon arriving at the Loading facilities, Weishaar said one the individuals produced a Maryland driver's License for identification, which followed the distributors protocol for will-call orders. "The identification was received and the loading dock clerk alertly made a copy of his Maryland driver's license. The individual who picked up the products signed for them, which also served as a receipt of delivery. Once that was secured, the driver and accomplice left the loading dock." The order was valued at approximately ...