A PAYLESS supermarket employee stole K38,470 cash from the company after the store had shut for the day in Lae last Friday.
Metropolitan Police Commander Chief Supt Nema Mondiai said yesterday that the accused signed off for duties at noon but hid inside the shop at Eriku until everyone had left.
Mr Mondiai said that the suspect then broke into the manager’s office and cut open the money box and stole the cash in notes but left the coins.
He said the suspect then broke out through the roof in the night and escaped to a friend’s house at Bundi camp where he gave the money to the house owner.
Mr Mondiai said the supermarket staff discovered the theft and reported it to the police the next day.
He said police and reservists acting on a tip-off apprehended the suspect at his friend’s house at Bundi camp last Saturday.
Mr Mondiai said police recovered K37,030 while K1,440 is still missing.
He said police arrested and charged Taki Sirinuki, 25, from Mata village, Wantoat, Morobe province with stealing and is still in custody.
Mr Mondiai said the suspect’s friend had gone into hiding but police know his identity and expect to arrest him soon.