When many people think of surveillance, it is in the context of domestic situations and divorces. However, this post and our work at Kimmons Investigative Serives, Inc. is about corporate situations and how businesses use our covert surveillance services. It is important to know that covert surveillance must comply with constitutional mandates as well as state and federal laws mostly related to “right to privacy.” At times a client may ask for a surveillance activity that we cannot legally provide.
What Corporate Situations Involve Covert Surveillance?
It surprises some people how many different ways businesses use our services to protect the company and further their interests.
- internal theft investigations
- workplace illegal activities involving sabotage, gambling, narcotics, and extortion
- workers’ compensation investigations
- corporate espionage investigations
- investigating liability claims
- investigating violations of company policies and procedures such as time reporting violations, or unauthorized use of company property or vehicles.
Example Real-Life Surveillance Cases
These are cases described in my book PI Revelations, which you can view or download free here.
Model Homes Appliance Thefts
Our client was developing a subdivision in Houston, Texas. He was experiencing a pattern of thefts of appliances in model homes. We were hired to surveil the homes to identify the thieves. It was a huge project with too many model homes and homes under construction to surveil them all. We set up motion detectors in the homes with appliances. One investigator was stationed in the subdivision waiting for a motion detector to indicate an intrusion. This gave the address, and the investigator could immediately begin surveillance of activities at the home.
The investigator documented the theft of a new stove and refrigerator that night. We didn’t want to move too early, as we wanted to be sure to identify all of the thieves. Over the next few weeks, we witnessed and documented four more thefts and believed we had identified all of the thieves. We also had followed them to identify where they were selliing the items. It turned out to be the residence of a Houston policeman. Our client was glad to have the case wrapped up and the thieves arrested.
Oilfield Tool Company Warehouse Thefts
A VP of a global oil tool supply company based in Houston called us to help with repeated thefts at multiple warehouse locations in the Houston area. The warehouses had alarm sensors on all doors and windows, but the thieves would cut a hole in the tin wall of the building to avoid setting off alarms. After an inventory of stolen items, it seemed obvious that there was some employee involvement. With a huge warehouse full of hundreds of different oilfield items with differing values, it seemed that the thieves knew exactly what to take. High value and easily transported items were the target.
Based on the size of the warehouses and the huge inventory, it seemed obvious that the thieves were being given instructions as to location of the items to take. They were in and out too quickly to not know item locations beforehand. Outdoor camera recordings told us that they were in and out in under 10 minutes. Unfortunately, outdoor and indoor cameras were no help in identifying them, as they wore ski masks. After talking with our client who wanted them caught, especially the employee, we came up with a plan.
We decided to place some of my operatives, ex police officers, in the warehouses at night to wait for the next breakin. They were instructed to call me and the local police when they heard the thieves beginning the cutting of the wall. I only lived about 7 minutes away, so between my people, me, and the police, we were able to catch them the next time they pulled a job.
Summing Up
Covert surveillance can take many forms and serves multiple purposes for business use. These are things the police do not have the manpower or resources to handle in their jobs. Kimmons Investigative Services works for numerous corporations to help them when illegal activities impact their business negatively.