Former NAPA Auto Parts manager James M. McKinley II allegedly stole almost $44,000 from the business while he was employed there.
He and his girlfriend, Andrea E. Diaz, then attempted to remove the evidence of the crime from the store, according to a probable cause affidavit from the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office.
McKinley, 28, of 500 N. Lake St., Syracuse, was arrested Tuesday evening for theft and obstruction of justice, both level 6 felonies.
McKinley admitted in writing that he committed theft from Jan. 31, 2014, to March 31, 2015, according to the affidavit. He told Warsaw police that he stole more than $17,000. Inter-Cap Control Company Inc., an auditing company, President Richard Dohoney was present for the confession.
According to the affidavit, McKinley would create cash and inventory losses that would take deposit payments from customers. Instead of applying the payment to a customer’s account, he would cheat the system to remove the money and replace it with a service credit charge.
The owner of NAPA Auto Parts, Dick Witt, had an audit conducted which showed that McKinley had stolen $43,136.81. When McKinley was told on June 19 that they were getting an auditor, he put in his two-week resignation.
Then on June 21, McKinley and Diaz, who also was arrested, came into the store’s office. The couple shredded documents and took paper records and computers from the store. Surveillance video shows them attempting to remove evidence of the crime.
Witt found the computers and financial paperwork missing the next day, having been removed by McKinley. Witt instructed him to return the computer and papers immediately. When they were returned, the computer’s memory had been erased. NAPA employees had witnessed McKinley and Diaz enter the store and later leave with said items.
Diaz, 29, of 8236 E. Debra Drive, Syracuse, was arrested Tuesday for obstruction of justice.
Both are being held on $5,250 bonds at Kosciusko County Jail.
(Story By The Times Union)
