$2K Missing From Dollar Tree, Police Say

An East Hanover store manager who recently turned in her resignation and plans to move to Florida is being investigated after more than $2,000 was reported missing from Dollar Tree, East Hanover Police said.

Patrolman Justin Donnard reported to the Dollar Tree store on Friday, Sept. 21, on report of a theft, police said.

Art Capone, the regional asset protection manager for Dollar Tree, advised Donnard there was a missing deposit from the East Hanover store in the amount of $2,069.76, dating from Aug. 29, according to police.

Capone said he spoke with the store manager, Patricia Place, who said she deposited the funds at Capital One Bank on Aug. 30 at about 1 p.m., police said.

The bank manager from Capital One said the deposit was never received, and an investigator with the bank's Loss Prevention Department, John English, reviewed footage from the bank's security cameras, police said.

According to police, the bank's cameras do not show Place depositing the money in the drop box or to a bank teller.

Capone confronted Place, who insisted she deposited the money on Aug. 30 and supplied Capone with a written statement recollecting the day and the events leading up to her depositing the money, police said.

Capone said he wanted the funds returned or will press charges against Place, police said. He also told police Place recently turned in a notice of resignation and plans to move to Florida to open a day care.

Capone filed a stolen property report with police. Place was suspended during the investigation.