Pump N’ Pay has money taken, again

Pump N’ Pay Market was ripped off for the second time in a month Sunday night when over $1,500 disappeared without a trace from the office of the New Smithville Highway convenience market.

The money, said to be in excess of $1,500 in cash and checks, was discovered missing around 8 p.m. Sunday when a courier for the Sid Stanton-owned business showed up to pick up the day’s proceeds. It was during the visit that it was discovered the first shift income had disappeared from a desk in the back office of the store. The manager said she placed the money in a bag and then placed the bag in a desk before leaving after her shift. However, all that was found Sunday night was the second-shift proceeds and start-up money for the next day.

Police say they are looking into the mysterious disappearance very closely given last month’s unusual heist at the market in which over $4,000 in cash was stolen. On that occasion, the same courier arrived at 8 p.m. on a Monday to pick up the day’s proceeds when a thief allegedly took her vehicle which also contained more than $4,000 she had already collected from the other stores.

The courier said she had just stepped inside for a moment when the thief swiped her vehicle. The stolen car was found near Viola a short time later but the money was missing.

The odd thefts have police suspecting someone with inside information on the workings of the businesses may be assisting with the crimes.