Theft reporting

Hi, I hope this is an ok place to post this, I'm new here. I am working in a shop and have been for the last 7 months. I enjoy my job and am on good terms with all the staff. For some time now one person I have been working with appears to be not ringing things in. He does when other people are around but I have walked up behind him and seen him just put in money when he is alone at the tills and not issue receipts.
I was concerned, and told my manager. I emphasised that I have no proof of stealing but I am concerned about his actions and that I feel I should report it. My manager was fine, appreciated my concern and that was all. Now I have discovered that he is suspended pending an investigation and a guard came in today to have a meeting with the managers. The guard may be unrelated to this, but I got a fright. I really like this person. He has a child and lots of responsibilities, so if he was stealing I could see why. However, I thought maybe the management would tackle the issue well, help him out if he is having problems. He does not seem like the type of person who would steal, and if he did it must be because of other problems.
I know employees should report such things, but I feel really awful. I never thought he'd even lose his job never mind having the guards in. I may be stupid, but I thought if he might need help.
What will happen to him now? Will he know I reported it?

It seems to me that you did the right thing, so you should not give yourself a guilt trip over it.

It can be upsetting to find that somebody to whom you have taken a liking is a thief, but it looks that way on the basis of what you have told us. The management might be acting in a firmer manner than you like, but that is not your doing. They might be right: it could well be that they were already aware that recorded takings were lower than expectation, and that the problem is greater than you think it is. It might be that you are letting your liking for this person get in the way of a realistic appraisal of the situation.

All you can do is what you think is the right thing, and it looks as if that is what you did.

Actions have consequences. The person who was ( apparently) thieving should not be able to escape the consenquences of his actions. He did this to himself and you need not feel in any way responsible.

You would have done this person no favours whatsoever by failing to report the thieving. Someone under immense pressure might steal once or twice ( and perhaps never do it again). If I saw someone stealing and I thought it was their first foray into dishonesty, I might give them a second chance ( though really, it is not your chance to give - more properly a matter for your employer). But you say that this has been going on for some time. It is very rare for someone to be stealing regularly and to abandon the habit; generally they just get more brazen and begin to regard it as a perk of the job. I know a couple with a small shop\petrol station who are basically having to remortgage because a staff member robbed them blind. No question whatever - you did the right thing.

If he did nothing wrong, he has nothing to worry about.

I agree with the other posters that you did the right thing.

tilly said:

I really like this person. He has a child and lots of responsibilities, so if he was stealing I could see why.

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You should look up the story of Ted Bundy. From all accounts charming and well liked by all his victims and associates. Unless he was stealing to buy a life saving operation for his child instead of a 200 euro pair of trainers then
I'd have less sympathy. You liked him but if he is found to be guilty then he was probably a con man. If he was stealing off you how would you feel ? He could have put you out of a job. If someone resorts to stealing without a conscience then they can also resort to pointing the finger of blame at an innocent fellow employee to save their own skin. If you had known he was stealing yet had said nothing then you would have been just as guilty and seen as an accomplice even if you had not profited from it. So you did the right thing and saved your own reputation and reduced any chance that you could be suspected as an accomplice. You performed your duty towards your employer. You did the right thing for yourself and for your employer.
Theres no excuse for stealing. He should have been happy to have a job. Stealing off a small struggling business will put everyone out of work.
The sad thing is those at the top of our society dont' appear serve any time for far worse wrong doing and this encourages a lot of people everywhere to rationalise the act.