Thefts reported at motel, Richardton residence

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Somebody appears to have climbed behind the front counter at the Super 8 Motel early Monday morning and stole more than $1,000 cash, according to the Dickinson Police Department.

Elizabeth Leingang, motel manager, said the clerk had left the front desk unattended for a short amount of time when the theft occurred.

“She ran down to go to the bathroom and when she came back up the money was gone and there was a chair sitting by the counter,” Leingang said.

She believes the chair was used to climb over the counter.

Leingang said the money was lying on the clerk’s desk, since she was getting ready to put into the hotel’s bank deposit bag.

“I suspect it was somebody watching the place or a past employee that knows how the system is done here,” Leingang said.

She said the motel will likely increase its security after the incident and they are looking into getting a safe.

“You don’t know what’s going to happen in the middle of the night,” Leingang said. “It’s really frightening and I just think it’s an awful thing to do.”

Leingang said she hopes the money is returned. Authorities reportedly have no suspects.

In an unrelated matter, two teenagers entered a Richardton residence Sunday afternoon and stole an iPod and about $15, according to the Stark County Sheriff’s Department.

“They just walked in,” Sheriff Clarence Tuhy said.

He added the teenagers are both 15 years old.

Two residents were home at the time and one of them saw the juveniles leaving the residence, Tuhy said. When authorities tracked down the teenagers and confronted them, they confessed and returned the money and iPod, Tuhy said.

The matter has reportedly been referred to juvenile court.

Tags: news, motel, richardton