Store Worker Faked Robbery To Hide Theft: Police

UPPER SOUTHAMPTON, PA — An employee of a vacuum cleaner shop in Upper Southampton lied to police, claiming he was robbed at gunpoint to hide his own theft, according to authorities.

At about 9:23 a.m. on Saturday, police say, officers were called to Oreck Vacuums at 490 Second Street Pike to a report of an armed robbery. There, they say William Kirby, Jr., 49, told them that a man had just come into the store, pointed a gun at him and demanded money.

He told them he handed over the money and that the robber ran away.

But as police investigated, they say they learned that Kirby had fabricated the entire event. Police say he ultimately confessed to making up the robbery to try to hide from his employer that he had taken $182 from the cash drawer the evening before.

Kirby was arrested, charged and released, police say.

Photo courtesy Upper Southampton Police Department