By Caleb Hutton
FERNDALE — An employee at the Ferndale O’Reilly Auto Parts has been charged with stealing money and merchandise from his former employer.
Joe Manuel Rodriguez, 22, is accused of running a scheme where he would scan items as returns, then take both the refund and the item for himself, according to charges filed in Whatcom County Superior Court.
A loss prevention officer found 23 false reports, totaling $936.01 in stolen refund cash. Rodriguez admitted he had the items at his home, according to the charges.
Police recovered stolen tool sets, mirrors, portable tire inflators, gloves and a camera set from Rodriguez’s apartment — all small stuff, but it added up to more than $600 in physical merchandise, said Ferndale Police Lt. Matt Huffman.
Rodriguez, who lives in Lynden, was charged last week with theft in the second degree.
How is this newspaper worthy?
You guys struggling to find a story? Just go down town on a friday.