NEWS FROM THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE

03/17/08

“Husband and Wife Charged With Stealing From Employer”

 

Investigators received a report about the possible theft of scratch off lottery tickets from the convenience store located at the intersection of Ben Higgins and Auraria Rd. After further investigation investigators determined Patricia Elaine Bryan (49) had stolen approximately $15,000 worth of cards, from the store where she was employed.

On March 12, 2008 and just minutes before Bryan was arrested at her place of employment, investigators executed a search warrant at her residence in Bear Slide Hollow, which is a subdivision off of Ben Higgins Rd. During the investigation investigators located a misdemeanor amount of marijuana and a .22 caliber rifle.

Mr. Edward Scott Bryan (48) was in the home during the execution of the search warrant and was arrested for possession of marijuana. Bryan was later held on a violation of bond conditions for possessing a firearm in violation of his bond conditions for a previous charge.

Investigators were also investigating a theft report from the Petro Fast food stores where Edward Scott Bryan had been employed. A representative from the company had reported that Mr. Bryan had taken nearly $100,000 from the store by manipulating the pay outs on the lottery system since 2005. Investigators worked with the Georgia Lottery Commission and poured through boxes of paperwork and have thus far charged Scott Bryan with a theft by deception in the amount of approximately $4000. The investigation into the remainder of the reported thefts continue and more charges are likely.

In addition to the felony theft charge Patricia Bryan was also charged with possession of a firearm by first offender.

 

 

 

Captain Jason Stover

Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office