McComb police last week arrested two Lowe’s employees suspected of embezzling thousands of dollars worth of merchandise.
On July 29, officers booked 41-year-old Eric O. Quinn, 1625 Highway 583 N., Jayess, on one charge of embezzlement.
Detective Shannon Sullivan said police received a call from a store representative who reported that Quinn allegedly sold dozens of items from the hardware store, 1802 Pike Point Place, McComb, and pocketed the cash.
Company personnel reportedly conducted their own internal investigation, finding the alleged embezzlement took place over a two-month period and amounted to more than $5,700 worth of stolen merchandise.
Sullivan said the embezzled items included pressure washers, lawn equipment, chain saws, trimmers, bathroom appliances and air conditioners.
Two days after Quinn’s arrest, Lowe’s turned over another one of its employees to the law for a similar alleged embezzlement scheme.
Officers booked Robert C. Evans, 23, 1025 N. Locust Circle, McComb, on one charge of embezzlement.
Sullivan said Evans allegedly sold about 25 items and pocketed the money over about a 50-day period.
He said the embezzled merchandise amounted to more than $3,600.
Evans’ arrest also resulted from an internal company investigation.
While both cases are strikingly similar, the suspects did not appear to be working together, Sullivan said.
As of this morning, both Quinn and Evans remained in the Pike County jail with bonds set at $25,000 each.
Store management declined to comment on the cases.
