A former clerk at the Time Saver convenience store, 5353 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, was arrested Feb. 1 by the Holmes Beach Police Department for stealing Florida lottery tickets on her store shifts since December.
A Time Saver representative told police Jeanna Mehrhoff, 29, of 7504 Gulf Drive, stole Lottery tickets valued at $2,223 by printing tickets and not paying for them.
HBPD charged Mehrhoff with third degree felony grand theft/embezzlement, according to reports. The police report also said additional charges are possible after a Florida Lottery investigation into what she may have received by cashing in the stolen lotto tickets.
Although Shelly Safford, public affairs specialist in the communications office of the Florida Lottery was unable to confirm the existence of an investigation at press time, she said if the retailer reported them stolen to the state lottery, a hold would be placed on lottery payouts for the reported ticket numbers.
The police report said the store provided police with detailed records supporting the allegations.
After her arrest, Mehrhoff reportedly apologized to the owner for “stealing all the lottery tickets and cash winnings from the winners.”
She was taken to the Manatee County jail. According to the jail website, she was released on $1,000 bond Feb. 2.
An arraignment is set for March 2 before Judge Janette Dunnigan in the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.