BEDFORD COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — Authorities in Bedford County say a local Dollar General store manager has been charged with theft following an investigation into allegations that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from the company.
Bedford Borough Police say 63-year-old Michael Hammel is accused of stealing over $24,000 from the West Pitt Street store, where he worked.
According to the affidavit, police say in late May, the store’s district and regional managers reported discrepancies in the store’s bank deposits.
Police say that when the managers confronted Hammel about the missing money, he claimed to have placed the deposits on the roof of his car, when he returned from vacation, and accidentally drove off without securing said deposits.
Upon further investigation, police learned that Hammel had gone on vacation in January and when questioned, he stated that he “panicked” when he realized the deposits were missing.
Police say Hammel explained that he attempted to ‘retrace his steps’ and eventually decided to cover the store’s losses by shifting around the deposits.
Authorities say Hammel later stated that his efforts to make up the missing money “became too much.”
According to online court records, Hammel faces one count of theft by failure to make required deposit of funds.
He has since posted bail from the Bedford County Jail.
