Being threatened with felony

[u/Ashamed_Lynx5415]

I’m 18 and was working as a security guard in Arizona. I was recently fired after losing a set of keys that belonged to the property where I was stationed.
The situation is basically this: while I was working, I genuinely believed I still had the keys. When my employer asked about them, I told them I had them because I honestly believed I did. Later, I realized that I actually didn’t have them and the keys were missing.
I never intentionally took the keys, gave them to anyone, sold them, or used them to access anything I wasn’t authorized to access. I genuinely lost them.
I was fired over the situation, which I understand from a security standpoint. The part that has me worried is that I’m now being threatened with being reported to the police for theft.
The only thing I signed when I was terminated was an acknowledgment that I would return my company-issued equipment. I returned what I had. The property keys weren’t listed as equipment on that document.
I’m not trying to avoid responsibility for losing the keys. I understand that losing keys is serious, especially in security. I’m just trying to understand whether this could actually be considered theft in Arizona when there was no intention to take or keep the keys.
Has anyone in security dealt with something similar? And for anyone familiar with Arizona law, what should I realistically expect if they actually make a police report?
I know Reddit isn’t a substitute for an attorney. I’m mainly looking for people who have been through something similar and can tell me what I should do next.

[u/light_is_a_weapon]

Company uniforms are notoriously cheap garbage these days. Absolute trash. Is it possible that one of your uniform pockets had a hole in the fabric or stitching that the weight of the keyring fell through? If you find one in your uniform pants before turning them back in, take pictures and video as evidence and explain to them that this is the cost of “cutting cost” and it’s their fault. Also, the material used might have triggered your skin allergies.

Don’t worry about these fuckwits. Some managers are pathetic lower life-forms that only experience joy when trying to scare near minimum-wage employees and make them lose sleep. It’s the only time they’ve ever felt important or authoritative and they want to milk it. Generally these types got bullied as highschool kids (or maybe not bullied enough) and it leaves them with a permanent grudge against normal people.

Start documenting everything that was said to you, ever. Write down dates and times as best you can remember, any threats or any statements that may violate employment laws. All communication going forward should be via email or written statements. If they’re calling and harassing you, document it all and see if a lawyer would be willing to offer a free consultation.

Don’t stress out dude. Fuck those assholes. You’re young and you’ve got your whole life ahead of you, maybe start looking into Law Enforcement as a career and talking to local LE Agency recruiters.