A former Wendy’s manager set up a fake worker and siphoned off wages totaling $20,000, police say.
The woman, identified as Linda Johnson, invented an employee named “William Bright”.
She reportedly clocked that phantom worker in and out so she could take home extra pay.
Manheim Township Police Department confirmed the theft and charged Johnson with theft by deception.
Johnson worked at a Wendy’s in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, according to the police statement.
The scheme lasted almost a year, investigators say.
They allege she logged shifts under the fake name from June 2021 until May last year.
Staff told investigators they could not recall anyone named William Bright ever working there.
After questioning, Johnson reportedly admitted she created the bogus employee to collect the pay.
Police say the paychecks were deposited into her CashApp account.
When authorities filed criminal charges, Johnson disappeared and officials appealed to the public for help locating her.
Johnson’s actions sparked a wave of reaction online after the story spread on social media.
“I’m not gonna lie, this is smart as hell. You can’t even be mad at her. 128 shifts without anyone noticing this ‘new employee’ is insane LMAO.”
Other users praised the hustle, while some suspected she may have had accomplices.
“She wasn’t doing it alone, she must have been sharing the benefits with other staff.”
The restaurant’s insurer reportedly paid out about $16,000 related to the incident.
Wendy’s was contacted for comment, the outlet reported.
The story followed another fast-food arrest captured by customers.
A separate incident involved a McDonald’s employee arrested while on shift after violating probation.
That employee described the moment on Reddit, saying officers entered the restaurant and took him out the back door.
The Reddit poster said the arrest happened after alleged missed parole appointments and failed drug tests.
“The police came in, four of them, three not in uniform and one with khakis and sheriff vest. They make their way to back booth and take me out the back door. I no longer have a job now.”
Police reportedly went to the restaurant after calls about the probation issue and arrested the worker on site.
Both stories drew attention to oversight and payroll controls in fast-food outlets.