A Schuylkill County woman is accused of stealing scratch-off lottery tickets, pocketing the winnings, and then quitting her job soon afterward.
Police in Pine Grove say they were called to the Turkey Hill store after the manager there realized there was a $1,004 discrepancy in the scratch-off lottery tickets and the money was missing.
During an audit to confirm the money was actually missing, Turkey Hill employees reviewed security footage from in the store and reportedly saw Victoria Harley, 44, of Pine Grove, taking tickets, scratching some, and putting some in her pockets and purse.
Harley did not pay for the tickets, the audit allegedly revealed.
On the night of Jan. 27, when it’s alleged Harley took the tickets, she returned to the store after her shift was over and quit her job.
Police say they tried to make contact with Harley after it was learned she’d allegedly stolen from the store but that was unsuccessful.
A week later, however, Harley allegedly contacted police to say she was in the hospital and would return $400. Police reminded her that she had taken $1,004.
Harley was arraigned on Tuesday on a felony count of retail theft and a misdemeanor charge of receiving stolen property. Magisterial District Judge Christian Lengel set bail at $5,000 unsecured and ordered Harley to appear for a preliminary hearing on April 2.
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