How Do You Confront Someone Who You Think Has Stolen From Your Place Of Work?

Well, a customer came into my Cafe/General Store one day and asked if she could use a plug to charge her cell phone.  While she was waiting (the plug was by the candy rack) she stuffed 3 candy bars into her pocket.  I did not see her, but a young girl that was a customer at the time called me over and pointed it out.  I asked her over and over was she sure, and she said yes.  I went over to the lady and asked her if she had mistakenly put candy in her pocket without paying for it as she was distracted and on her phone, she denied it.  She turned out her pocket and indeed it was empty.  She unplugged her phone and was beginning to walk out the door, I looked at the young girl and she was still insisting that this lady had taken  candy.  I stopped the lady and asked her once again to turn around and let me see in both her pockets, and she slightly pulled them out, but I could see the candy in her other pocket and demanded loudly for her to give back MY CANDY that she had not paid for, and told her I didn't know where she was from, but people like her are not welcome into our neighborhood.  I couldn't believe how this grown woman was behaving- and I don't think whispering will shame anyone into stopping their bad behavior.  Her entire life, she WILL remember me, I'm not sorry for it.  I have no respect for liars or thieves, and I told her to make sure she spread the word to everyone she meets.  I do not want those kind of customers.  They may hate me, but they will respect me.

If you know for sure, take that person aside. And gently tell them. Hey, maybe your on hard times, or maybe it was a prank, but look man, this is my job your putting on the line. You really can't be doing that here. Tell the boss. If your the boss, bar from the establishment.

It would benefit the boss to invest in cameras for the security of the business. This way when something like this happens, it is on tape, and you don't have to be polite about it, then you know for sure, because the camera doesn't lie. For this time, he might have to bite it and accept the loss unless you can make them confess. Hope this helps, good luck to you all.