Additional former Super 1 employees charged with theft
BONNERS FERRY — Two additional former Super 1 employees have been charged with burglary, grand theft and criminal conspiracy after allegedly giving themselves discounts on food items.
Night-shift workers Logan Ryan Cuthbertson, 20, and Wayne Jacob Jusslin, 45, join former employees and codefendants Hannah Lacey Ainley, 35, Ticen George Taylor, 34, and Anthony L. Vargas, 40 originally faced charges.
Cuthbertson, a former shelf stocker, has since been trespassed by Super 1. In store’s lost prevention report indicates that on May 29 around 1:26 a.m., Cuthbertson bought an energy drink, however he allegedly did not pay for a $6.98 sandwich which was set under his coat at the end of the register.
On June 2, he bought another energy drink and candy, however when placing a $12.99 container of sushi on the belt, co-worker Ticen Taylor allegedly did not scan the idea but inputted the product as costing 50 cents.
Cuthbertson consented to an interview with Bonners Ferry Police Officer Scott Davis, court records indicate.
Davis asked if Fred Zweering was the ringleader since he was the shift manager and had been working at Super 1 for 12 years.
Cuthbertson said Zweering had told staff that the bosses allow discounts on damages and or old deli foods including sushi.
When asked by Officer Davis if he felt that Zweering had drug him into this situation, Cutherbertson indicated that he felt that way.
Cuthbertson has a preliminary hearing on August 16.
Wayne Jacob Jusslin was contacted by BFPD and declined to be interviewed, as he had yet to meet with an attorney. His preliminary hearing is also scheduled for August 16.
Fred Zweering was also interviewed in his home by Officer Davis, court documents said.
After being read his Miranda Rights, Zweering consented to be interviewed.
Davis said that based on the information he received during the investigation, Zweering is indicated as a ringleader of most of the thefts that occurred due to him being the shift manager at Super 1.
Davis said per the detailed lost prevention list, Zweering was videoed shopping on shift and negotiating the price of ribeye at an older sale price.
Zweering said that they were weighted at the correct sale price.
When the first three employees were fired, Zweering didn’t return to work.
Davis asked why he hadn’t come back to work, since he hadn’t been fired.
Zweering said he figured he had been fired, since the others were arrested. He added that he didn’t feel comfortable at work as people kept looking at him.”
The interview was concluded when Davis asked if Zweering gave himself discounts, as the former employee no longer wished to continue.
In a probable cause affidavit, Davis wrote that the lack of eye contact and fidgeting by Zweering indicated he was being evasive and deceptive.
Zweering has yet to be charged.
In the earlier case, Ainley waived her right to a preliminary hearing, advancing the case to district court and an arraignment was scheduled for August 7.
Taylor is scheudled to attened a preliminary hearing on August 16.
Vargas was previously charged with three felony counts of burglary, grand theft and criminal conspiracy. At a July 19 disposition, the state dismissed the grand theft and conspiracy charge.
Vargas pled guilty to the burglary charge, which was then amended to a misdemeanor charge. District Judge Debra A. Heise ruled that the charge should have a withheld judgement, meaning if he follows all probation requirements, the case can be put aside. He is required to do 32 hours of community service before the end of August as part of his probation agreement.
He has to pay $1,423.92 in restitution amongst co-defendants.
Ticen George Taylor.
Anthony L. Vargas.