Solon Sheetz Worker Accused of Printing $17,000 in Keno Tickets

A Cleveland man who worked at the Solon Sheetz is charged with felony theft. Police say he printed about $17,000 in Keno tickets for himself without paying. Solon officers arrested Joshua Melvin Hartley, 32, at the Sheetz on Cochran Road around 1:49 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5. He is charged with theft, a fourth degree felony. Audit Uncovered Unusual Keno Losses A Sheetz loss prevention supervisor noticed something was off with Keno sales at the Solon store. The company then audited its Keno system with help from the Ohio Lottery Commission. The review found about $17,000 in losses. Some transactions stood out because of their size. Police pointed to tickets worth as much as $500 for a single Keno game. Store management then built a log of the dates and times the suspicious tickets were printed. According to police, Hartley was on duty every time. Surveillance Video Shows Tickets Being Printed Investigators said store cameras recorded Hartley creating and printing a large number of Keno tickets at the lottery kiosk. Police allege he knew how to get into the terminal without paying. Solon police spokesman Lt. Bill Vajdich said Sheetz does not use that system to issue individual lottery tickets, and certainly not Keno tickets. The alleged scheme ran from September until early November, police said. Suspect Admitted Using Winnings to Pay Bills At the Solon police station, Hartley admitted to accessing the lottery machine many times over about two months, according to police. He told detectives he used the winnings to help pay his bills. Officers seized $1,944 in cash that Hartley was carrying when he was arrested. Police expect that money to go back to Sheetz through a court ordered forfeiture. Lottery Fraud Leaves a Trail Vajdich said audits and transaction records will eventually lead investigators to the person responsible. “When it comes to the lottery, the house is always going to win,” he said. Hartley is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Frequently Asked Questions Who was arrested in the Solon Sheetz Keno theft? Joshua Melvin Hartley, 32, of Cleveland, was arrested by Solon police on Nov. 5. How much money was allegedly stolen through the Keno tickets? An audit found that the Keno tickets Hartley allegedly created were worth about $17,000. How did Sheetz discover the alleged Keno theft? A loss prevention supervisor noticed losses tied to Keno sales. That led to an audit with the Ohio Lottery Commission and a log that matched the suspicious tickets to Hartley’s shifts. What charge does the suspect face? Hartley is charged with theft, a fourth degree felony. Will Sheetz get any of the money back? Police seized $1,944 in cash from Hartley at his arrest. They expect it to go back to Sheetz through a court ordered forfeiture. SEO Fields Focus Keyword: Solon Sheetz Keno theft SEO Title: Solon Sheetz Worker Charged in $17,000 Keno Ticket Theft Meta Description: Solon police say a Cleveland man who worked at the Sheetz on Cochran Road printed $17,000 in Keno tickets for himself. He faces a felony theft charge.