Former city pizza shop employee arrested
A former employee of a Jefferson Avenue pizza shop was arrested Sunday by Washington police on burglary and theft charges after he allegedly entered the business after hours using a key assigned to his girlfriend, who is currently an employee.
Zachary Staley, 26, of 579 Jefferson Ave., Washington, was arrested at his home hours after the burglary was discovered at Little Caesar’s Pizza, 275 Jefferson.
The assistant manager called after finding the store had been burglarized when she was opening for the day about 9:30 a.m. She found the cash register open and determined $126 had been stolen. Another employee left the money in the register after he closed the business. He told police the money was in the register when he locked the front door about 11:13 p.m. Saturday.
A district manager and operations manager came to the store and accessed the surveillance video. Police said they were able to identify Staley as the culprit. The surveillance allegedly shows him using the store key to enter the store, going to the register and stealing the money. Police said he obtained the key from his girlfriend. It was not known if she is facing any charges.
Police said Staley was fired from his job at Little Caesar’s on Dec. 7 for allegedly stealing $100 from the register while working. After he was taken into custody Sunday, Staley allegedly admitted to the burglary and thefts.
Staley was arraigned before District Judge Mark Wilson on charges of burglary and two counts of theft. He was placed in Washington County jail on $10,000 bond. Staley is scheduled for a Dec. 22 preliminary hearing before District Judge Robert Redlinger.