Ex-employee allegedly stole $200,000 from Rochester shop

Detectives searched a Rochester-area home Tuesday as part of an investigation into a man who allegedly stole more than $200,000 from his former employer.

The former employee of VJ’s Bargain Barn was arrested last week on suspicion of multiple counts of theft from the Rochester business and is out of custody after posting bail, Thurston County Sheriff’s Lt. Greg Elwin said.

Also according to Elwin:

An accountant hired by VJ’s discovered evidence of the theft last year, prompting the investigation.

The suspect, who was responsible for making deposits, suddenly quit his job after the accountant began an audit.

Detectives searched the home, in the 16000 block of Weaver Lane, for bank and computer records. They also found evidence that the suspect has been recently been making large purchases; detectives found a new Ford F-350 pickup, two new motorcycles, a quad and a flat-bed trailer.

“He’s been buying a lot of toys the last few years,” Elwin said.

The suspect has not been charged; the investigation continues.

VJ’s Bargain Barn is a building-supply store for mobile home parts.

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