SAYBROOK TOWNSHIP — A 20-year-old Ashtabula man is facing multiple charges after stealing more than $800 from the Holiday Inn Express on Route 45, where he is employed, and using the money to buy drugs.
The hotel’s manager reported three drop deposit envelopes, containing $858.85, stolen Monday. The envelopes were reportedly removed from the business safe located under the front desk at the hotel, according to reports.
Five envelopes of money were deposited into the safe between 3 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Monday by four employees and the manager. The central hinge pin on the safe which anchors the safe door to the safe box was found partially removed, according to reports.
All four employees were suspected and Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Department deputies questioned each of them regarding the theft. 20-year-old male employee was suspected more than the others as he worked the midnight shift and could have easily removed the money undetected, reports show.
Upon questioning the 20-year-old, unlike the other employees, he was very anxious while being questioned and admitted taking the money. He initially denied taking the money and about two minutes after the interview had concluded, came back and admitted to deputies that he had in fact taken it, according to reports.
He told deputies the money was in his apartment and there was a “little bit” of marijuana with it. Deputies followed him to his residence and assured him they were just there to retrieve the money and not to bust him for drugs, according to reports.
The suspect led deputies into the bedroom where a children’s bed and a crib were located. He opened the top drawer of a dresser to get the money and deputies observed two large bundles of currency and numerous baggies of marijuana. There was also a purple cloth Crown Royal pouch that was overflowing with more baggies of marijuana. The baggies were reportedly tied and appeared to be prepared for resale, according to reports.
Deputies told the suspect the amount of marijuana was not “a little bit” as he had stated and it was confiscated. Deputies retrieved $236, 39 clear plastic baggies of marijuana, a cloth Crown Royal pouch, miscellaneous loose plastic baggy pieces and a large plastic bag of marijuana, according to reports.
The suspect told deputies he used a screwdriver and pliers to pop the safe open. He used $400 to buy marijuana from a guy in Cleveland and packaged it up to sell with the intention of making more money and returning the stolen money before anyone noticed, reports show.
The Ashtabula County Prosecutor’s Office is reviewing the case for charges of theft, a fifth-degree felony; safecracking, a fourth-degree felony; trafficking marijuana in the vicinity of a juvenile, a fourth degree felony; and two counts of child endangerment, first-degree misdemeanors, according to reports.
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