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Crime & Safety

Police: Wawa Employee Stole $5,000 and Cigarettes

18-year-old convenience store employee is accused of using a manager's code to steal thousands, though he disputes amount authorities say he took.

 

An 18-year-old employee of a Bethlehem Wawa is accused of using a manager’s code to steal more than $5,000 in cash and cigarettes from the store in the last seven weeks, court records say.

Andrew M. Medina of 1551 Irene St., Apt. 301, Bethlehem, admitted to police and a Wawa official he participated in the scheme, but he disputed the amount of money and cigarettes he stole, the records say. He said he stole around $3,000 in cash and cigarettes from the store at 2525 Easton Ave.

He also implicated a female store employee with taking more than $2,000 in cash and cigarettes – for a total take of $5,340, the records say.

Medina was jailed Wednesday night after failing to post $15,000 bail. The female is identified in the criminal complaint against Medina and is named in one of the charges against him – criminal conspiracy. But the complaint says nothing about her being charged, and there is no indication of any charges in online court records.

Police say Medina used the manager’s code to refund cigarette purchases in order to pocket money from the store register. The scheme occurred between Oct. 1 and Wednesday, the complaint says.

In the complaint, city Officer Robby Hoppes said he went to the Wawa around 3:20 p.m. Wednesday and met with Medina and a Wawa lost-preventiom investigator.

The Wawa official said Medina was a suspect in the official’s investigation as a result of “video and repeated occurrences while he was working.” The official also said Medina had $160 on him during the meeting that belonged to the store.

Later at the police station, Medina “validated” everything on a statement he gave to the Wawa official but disputed how much of the $5,340 in cash and cigarettes he actually stole, the records say.

In addition to criminal conspiracy, Medina was charged with theft by unlawful taking. Both crimes are third-degree felonies.

He was arraigned Wednesday night by on-duty District Judge Richard Yetter of Wilson.

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