A 20-year-old Bealls cashier claimed she stole money to help pay for school.
Caitlyn Victoria Rivera of Fruitland Park was arrested on a third degree felony charge of grand theft on Wednesday by Lady Lake police. When police arrived at the store located at 13687 U.S. Hwy. 27/441, Rivera was in the office with a Bealls investigation specialist who told police that $1,400 in cash had been stolen from the store.
Rivera had been captured on video surveillance between May 17 and June 12 placing large denomination bills under the cash drawer.
“When (Rivera) was alone, she would use her fingernails to pull the money through the check slot and place the money in her pants pocket,” the officer wrote in the arrest report.
She claimed she needed the money for school. She filled out a Bealls company statement admitting she had taken the money for personal use.
She was booked at the Lake County Jail and released after posting $2,000 bond.