Beaufort Outback Steakhouse employee charged with suspicion of fraud

A Lady’s Island woman is under arrest after she allegedly diverted more than $25,000 from customers at the Beaufort Outback Steakhouse where she worked.

Melanie Daniels, 42, turned herself in to Beaufort Police Wednesday morning after an arrest warrant was issued Monday, police department news release. She was charged with breach of trust with fradulent intent of more than $10,000.

Daniels allegedly took the cash payments from customers from January 2015 to January 2016, the release said.

Authorities estimate the amount of loss to the restaurant to be more than $25,000.

The investigation into the thefts began in January after the restaurant’s manager discovered irregularities in electronic journal records associated with Daniels and reported it to the Beaufort Police Department.

Daniels was taken to the Beaufort County Detention Center and awaits a bond hearing.

This story was originally published March 23, 2016 at 12:36 PM with the headline "Beaufort Outback Steakhouse employee charged with suspicion of fraud."