Store clerk accused of stealing $15,100

A clerk at the Valley Dairy on 1401 S. Washington St. in Grand Forks has been charged with stealing $15,100 in cash and merchandise from the store.

Aaron Richard Taylor, 21, of Grand Forks, faces one felony count of theft after stealing cigarettes, food and money from the till over a 10 month span.

Late Thursday afternoon, a supervisor at Valley Dairy called police with a theft report, providing officers with a written statement from Taylor.

Taylor told police he started taking cartons of cigarettes from the store in mid-May. He started with about one carton a week, but had increased his haul to 20 cartons a week within the past month.

He said he would take Marlboro Reds, Marlboro Lights and USA brand cigarettes, taking some for himself and selling some.

Taylor also told police he stole food from the store. In the past six weeks, Taylor began to steal cash by voiding transactions and pocketing the money.

Police said he was cooperative and apologetic during his interview. Taylor was charged and made his initial court appearance Friday in front of Judge Karen Braaten in the Grand Forks County District Court. His theft charge is a Class B felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The Grand Forks Herald is owned by Forum Communications Co.

Tags: news, crime, theft