INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A four-year employee of Dodgertown was arrested after it was discovered he was stealing items from the Dodgertown maintenance building and returning the items to Lowe’s Home Improvement Store in exchange for gift cards, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
Christopher Bronson, 30, of Vero Beach, faces charges of Felony Third Degree Grand Theft and Felony Dealing in Stolen Property.
According to the police report, Lowe’s suspended Dodgertown’s account after Bronson’s third attempt at returning merchandise without a receipt. Lowe’s contacted Joe Taylor, chief engineer at Dodgertown, who checked inventory in the maintenance building and found approximately $600 worth of equipment was missing.
Video surveillance showed Bronson, wearing a Dodgertown uniform, exchanging the missing items including emergency lights and exit signs for gift cards at the Lowe’s return desk.
According to the police report, Bronson told authorities he asked his girlfriend to pawn the gift cards for cash. He said his girlfriend was unaware he was stealing from Dodgertown.
Bronson personally apologized to Taylor, wrote a letter of apology to the general manager of Dodgertown, and told police he was “down on his luck” and needed the money to take care of his family.
