Leura Collins - History

History

Weingarten Inc. was founded in 1948 as a retailer. By 1972, Weingarten Inc. operated 100 stores, some of which included "lunch counters", and others which included "lobby food operations." These counters/lobbies provided eat-in or carry-out dining options for customers. Collins was employed from 1961-1970 at store #2 as a "lunch counter" sales person. She transferred to store #98 where she was a sales person at the "lobby food operation."

Loss Prevention Specialists were employed by Weingarten Inc and operated at the companies stores undercover, sometimes unbeknownst to management to observe/apprehend people suspected of theft, including employees. In June 1972, Loss Prevention Specialist "Hardy" observed the lobby operation at store #98 for 2 days (without the knowledge of management) to investigate a report that Collins was stealing money from the cash register. Hardy disclosed his presence to the store manager only after his 2 day investigation turned up no evidence. The store manager then told Hardy that he was just informed by a coworker that Collins had taken a $2.98 box of chicken and put only 1$ into the cash register. Collins was then interviewed by both Hardy and the store manager.