An employee of a local Circle K convenience store, Dedra Robinson, was recently arrested for stealing money from a woman who won $500 on a lottery ticket while she was working. Robinson then received an additional charge during her booking after blowing in the jailer’s face while having COVID-19.
According to a copy of a Douglas Police Department incident report, on January 4, 2023, around 2:45 p.m., an officer was dispatched to Circle K on North Peterson Avenue in reference to a possible theft by an employee who was working at the time.
The officer arrived and went to the manager’s office, where he spoke to the woman who made the complaint. The manager told the officer that an employee had approached her and informed her that another employee, later identified as Robinson, was bragging about stealing $100 from a customer who had won $500 on a scratch-off lottery ticket. The report states that the manager reviewed the video footage and observed Robinson pocketing $100 from the cash register. She also informed the officer that she wanted to pursue criminal charges against her and wanted her removed from the property.
The officer then viewed the video footage. The officer reported that it showed Robinson giving the customer $400 with her then putting $100 in her pocket. The officer approached Robinson and asked if she had the $100. According to the report, Robinson admitted to having the money in her car and then went to her vehicle to retrieve the money. She then handed the officer the $100, who then placed her under arrest.
Following her arrest, Robinson was transported to the Coffee County Law Enforcement Center. The report states that as she walked in, she leaned in close to the officer, blew into his face, and told him that she was COVID-positive. The report also notes that the officer’s body cam and audio pack were on while the incident occurred. Robinson took a COVID test at the jail, which showed that she was positive for the virus.
Robinson was charged with one count of theft by taking and reckless conduct for blowing in the jailer’s face. She has since been released on bond.