By Pat Culverhouse

Stealing from an employer is never a good idea, but it’s even worse when the alleged act is performed while surveillance cameras are on the lookout, and that’s a lesson a Minden woman has learned the hard way.

Ashley Y. Cornelius, 37, a resident of the 200 block of Mason Dr., was arrested Saturday for misdemeanor theft after she was allegedly caught on camera during her work shift Friday taking money by printing money orders.

She currently is being held at the Webster Parish jail where she is also charged on a bench warrant for failure to appear. Her bond is set at $950.

Minden police reportedly were called Saturday to Five Bros. Grill on E. Union after a clerk noticed the cash register count was $900 short. The clerk reportedly reviewed video footage from the previous day and observed Cornelius printing three money orders valued at $300 each.

Video footage and a “No Fee” receipt were provided to police. While preparing evidence, police learned Cornelius was also the subject of an outstanding bench warrant. She was taken into custody at her workplace without incident just before 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.