Former Wendy’s manager pleads guilty to stealing $5,300 worth of cash deposits

The former general manager of the Wendy’s on Route 113 in Hilltown Township has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $5,300 in cash deposits and then abruptly quitting his job via email.

As part of a plea agreement with Bucks County prosecutors, 31-year-old Davonte Clardy, of Willow Grove, pleaded guilty last week to misdemeanor counts of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property – charges which were initially third-degree felonies but reduced as part of the agreement. Court records show Clardy was sentenced to three years’ probation and he was ordered to make restitution in the amount of $5,338.

Sentencing notes indicate Clardy is prohibited from the Wendy’s location, and his probation can terminate after two years if restitution is made and no other violations are reported.

Police were initially contacted by the head of operations for Wendy’s restaurants on July 28, 2023 at 5:13 p.m. for a report of an employee theft. Investigators were told that Clardy had abruptly quit his position as general manager, and they subsequently learned that several cash deposits from the restaurant had not been placed into their bank account, according to court documents.

In total, six cash deposits totaling $5,338 were missing, police said. Clardy was responsible for transporting and putting the deposits into their bank’s drop box on the days of the missing deposits, according to charging documents.

“[The head of operations] explained that after the night shift manager deposits the money for that day, they lock the safe and exit the office,” reads a portion of the criminal complaint against Clardy. “[He] further explained that the security camera in the office is motion activated, [and he] reported there was no other personnel present in between the night deposit and when Clardy arrived and opened the safe the next business day.”

Investigators said the thefts occurred between July 18, 2023 and July 21, 2023.