Teen ARRESTED for Leaving DD wGrilled Cheese
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RAISING FUNDS FOR LEGAL DEFENSE
We are asking the community to help raise money to help with attorney fees and court costs, so this newly turned 18-year-old can obtain proper representation for her day in court (over a public defender) for this outrageous charge.
A "Not Guilty" verdict is not enough! These charges need to be DROPPED
THE CRIME
On Aug. 23, 2022, 18-year-old Gwendolyn Schoenthal was ARRESTED after clocking in at her new Dunkin Donuts job for "petty theft" of a GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH meal that she had made for herself earlier that day when she was still off the clock.
THE BACK STORY
Gwen started at the Homosassa Dunkin Donuts (Chaz location) on Aug. 9, just one week before her 18th birthday; this was her first real job. She was enjoying the new work routine and doing well even though the store was going through management changes that were already negatively impacting staff.
This location had a complete lack of consistency between PRACTICE and POLICY, and different rules were followed under varying levels of managers, leading to a sandwich misunderstanding that SHOULD HAVE BEEN HANDLED IN-HOUSE
But on Aug. 23, 2022, the afternoon Gwen stopped by work before her shift to grab a grilled cheese meal, she had no idea when she returned to clock-in, that 3 armed police officers would be waiting there to arrest her.
THE DETAILS
- Gwen had only been employed two weeks and was still learning
- She was never given a copy of the employee manual for food policy
- The store's daily practices were inconsistent with company policy
- Gwen had been allowed to eat for free by other personnel since starting
- She did not have multiple sandwiches as the report states, but a single grilled cheese and a side of bacon (both were in sandwich boxes)
- She did not try to hide the food from cameras or avoid the cash register, as there was clearly no intent to steal
- She was never approached by anyone after the incident to question her about the food or to request payment from her
- The employee manual lists disciplinary actions for employee food-related infractions as verbal warnings, written warnings and up to a termination
- NONE of the outlined disciplinary actions were taken by management to address or remedy the behavior
IN SUMMATION
I think we can ALL agree that this is a classic example of bringing a firehose to put out a matchstick.
Corporate has been contacted, and while they were very apologetic, they are not taking any action to intercede, stating it is an employment-related issue with the franchise owner. I have reached out to the owner, asking him to reconsider and drop the charges, to which he will not even respond.
The Owner and GM that chose to press charges at this branch also run every Dunkin Donuts in Citrus County. This group has a long list of allegations (strangers pouring in my message box to share their stories) from former employees of claiming illegal and immoral actions toward the staff, (and the ones still employed seem afraid to talk) and that needs to stop NOW!
OUR PROMISE
All funds raised will be used to retain a defense attorney for Gwendolyn and pay for any associated court costs, etc. After Gwen is found not guilty, I plan on exploring our options to take civil action against the parties involved.
Organizer
Rachel Ford
Organizer
Homosassa, FL