Crime & Safety
'Disloyal' Circle K Gas Station Employee Accused Of Stealing Lottery Tickets
An audit revealed tickets went missing on days the employee worked, and his actions were also captured on security video, police said.
PALOS HEIGHTS, IL — An employee of a Palos Heights gas station was arrested after a months-long investigation into the theft of instant lottery tickets, police said. Zaid Abu Alkheil, 36, of Chicago, is charged with felony theft of over $300.
The investigation began May 2, when Palos Hieghts police met with the manager of Circle K gas station about some missing lottery tickets. An audit performed by corporate headquarters that $2,341 worth of tickets went missing on several dates when Abu Alkheil, was working, police said.
Further review of surveillance video is also said to have shown Abu Alkheil, taking and trying to evade security cameras while taking tickets from the lottery dispense.
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Abu Alkheil was taken into custody July 2. He denied his involvement in the theft, while police claim the video evidence objectively captured the act. The Cook County State’s Attorney approved the felony charge.
His case is currently being heard at the Bridgeview Courthouse.
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