Published: October 01, 2008 11:25 pm            

Manager accused of theft scheme from Rent-A-Center store

The former manager of the Rent-A-Center in Richland Town Centre has been charged with stealing more than $30,000 in cash and new merchandise from the store during a 13-month period.

Police also believe that a couple of other employees, who knew there was a problem with the manager, also were stealing from the store. The investigation is ongoing.

John Edward Dillon, 42, of the 100 block of Railroad Street, Dunlo, was charged by Richland Township police with numerous counts of forgery, theft by deception and other offenses.

He was arraigned before District Judge Max Pavlovich of Richland Township. He was released on his own recognizance.

Police said the thefts took place between March 1, 2007, and April 30, 2008.

Detective Kevin Gaudlip said Dillon, through an elaborate scheme, created false rental agreements using the identities of 45 other people. Dillon would move money from one account to another, intended to cover his tracks – and the thefts by two other store employees. Dillon also sometimes forged the signatures of people on the fictitious accounts or had other employees do so, police said.

Those two other employees are no longer with the store, Gaudlip said.

The loss to the store in merchandise is $29,932. Dillon also took $1,500 in cash, Gaudlip said.

Dillon sold the stolen items to people he knew, Gaudlip said.

Police said Dillon resigned when confronted by store officials and admitted to the thefts.

Dillon had been with the store for 20 years at either its current location, or the previous one along Scalp Avenue. He served as a manager during the past 11 years.

Dillon’s attorney, Robert Davis Gleason, said he is hoping to get his client placed on the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program for first-time offenders.

“Mr. Dillon was an excellent employee for many years and regrets the situation,” Gleason said.

        

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