Not at any large company. Large companies like the government has policies and procedures in place to make sure the event is carefully documented and investigated so that when they fire the person they won't end up getting sued.
Even in what appears to be an obvious case of getting caught red handed, the victim might decide that it isn't worth pressing charges over $20 if it means they might have to return to testify. The thief may have a history with the other TSA employee that tipped off authorities about the money hidden in the magazine rack.
Therefore the suspected thief gets sent home while the situation is investigated throughly, and statements are taken. If the evidence is there the authorities will file charges, and then it's safe and easy for the employer to fire the thief.
Juries are unfortunately too easily sold a conspiracy theory in a wrongful termination suit, and they have a tendency to rule in favor of the poor out of work individual that can't get a job because they were fired when it's a big business or the government that has to pick up the bill.
Thank God for at-will employment states.
-ccm
You wrote: "the victim might decide that it isn't worth pressing charges over $20 if it means they might have to return to testify." In this case, if the victim is from Genoa City, then he is only about 45 minutes away from Milwaukee and the courthouse. I would return. It's the principle of the thing.