The Athens Police Department busted an employee theft ring at Elder-Beerman, 1004 E. State Street, Tuesday and charged seven employees.
The employees stole about $11,000 worth of merchandise items over the last several months, APD Lt. Dave Williams said.
A variety of items ranging from video cameras, GPS (global positioning systems) units and clothing were taken, Sherrie Norman, store manager, said.
Bridgett G. Evener, 33, of 52 Congress St., Chauncey; and Justin Watkins, 25, of 18025 Bobo Rd., Guysville, were both charged with one count of misdemeanor theft in the first degree.
The following five employees were all charged with one count of felony theft in the fifth degreeJames R. Camp, 21, of 34462 Union Ridge Rd. Albany; Mike L. Triplett Jr., 32, of 52 Congress St. Chauncey; Jonathan W. Higgins, 19, of 7140 Selby Rd. #79 Athens; Adam James Armstrong, 20, of 940 ½ E. State St. Athens; and Zachary R. Peyton, 21, of 34814 Union Ridge Rd. Albany.
Tuesday morning, Elder-Beerman management notified (the APD) that an internal theft investigation had been ongoing and the employees involved were being detained at the store
according to the report.
Norman would not comment on what prompted the internal investigation or its length. Video surveillance, store inventory and work logs were all used to catch the culprits.
Some of the stolen items have been recovered, Williams said. A few of the employees had some items on their person and in their vehicles at the time of their arrest, he added.
The maximum penalty for one count of misdemeanor theft in the first degree is a $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail, Williams said.
Employees the fifth degree felony charge could serve 18 months in prison, he added.
We keep a close eye on things here. Loss prevention is a priority Norman said. This is what happens when you steal things she added.
el246506@ohiou.edu
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Elizabeth Lundblad
