CLEARFIELD – Four people alleged to have taken food, tobacco and other items from J.G. Food Warehouse waived their rights to preliminary hearings on Wednesday.
Anthony Freyer, 21 of Clearfield is charged with theft by unlawful taking and related charges. Brian Scott Leigey, 26, of Clearfield and Jeffrey Ryan Shipley, 26 of Clearfield are both charged with solicitation, theft by unlawful taking and related charges. Heather Lee Watkins, 21 of Clearfield is charged with theft by unlawful taking and retail theft.
Freyer, Leigey and Shipley were all employees at the time the crimes were alleged to have occurred.
According to court documents Clearfield Borough Police and the grocery store were aware of merchandise being stolen and inventory shortages. The store manager had recovered a note found on the floor that appears to have been orders people made for tobacco products and payment amounts.
Police reviewed surveillance tapes which showed several employees of the night shift stealing tobacco products on Jan. 8 Caught on tape were Freyer, Shipley and Leigey.
Freyer was a night clerk at the time, and was observed taking two rolls of snuff, a pack of cigarettes. When questioned by police Freyer admitted to taking the cigarettes for about every other day in a two-week timespan. He said that he saw Leigey and Shipley take stuff from the store, Shipley in bags and Leigey on his days off. He said that Shipley had people come and get stuff. He also told officers that Leigey would come in and take food on his days off. He also noted that Leigey had his girlfriend, Watkins, take stuff as well.
Shipley was a night clerk and was observed taking a roll of snuff and five cartons of cigarettes. Shipley told police that he was guilty of stealing food and the tobacco for another employee for money. He added that he had stolen a number of cartons and sold them to Leigey. He said he also took milk, bread, cereal soaps and floor cleaner.
Leigey was the night boss and was observed on tape watching Shipley remove cigarettes and snuff from behind the counter. Leigey told police that he had taken groceries and had paid Shipley for cigarettes. Leigey admitted to stealing cat litter and Reese’s Cups. Leigey said that one time he took a New York strip steak and fries for dinner. He said that he had seen both Shipley and Freyer take items from the store.
Leigey told police that he had not taken from the store the entire time he worked there. He said that he and Watkins had been having problems buying food and cigarettes because they have their own apartment and have to pay bills.
Watkins told police that she had gone with Leigey and taken soda and a bag of Life Savers, Dr. Pepper and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
Another employee who was not observed taking items told police that he had witnessed Shipley and Leigey taking tobacco products.
Some of the items that were taken included cat litter, cat toys, bagels, snuff, cigarettes, candy and more.
