Cash Theft Leads to Drug Charges

(SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb.) — A 41-year-old local man faces theft and drug charges following an August incident at a Scottsbluff business.

Thomas Jerald Mendoza was arrested Aug. 24 by Scottsbluff Police following an investigation into a cash register theft at Cigarette Chain on East Overland Drive.

According to court records, an employee reported that Mendoza grabbed $150 from the register while completing a transaction Aug. 22 and fled the business, knocking over and damaging a cigar display in the process.

Officers located Mendoza two days later. Police said he admitted to taking the cash and disclosed that he had a glass pipe in his backpack. The pipe tested positive for methamphetamine, according to court records.

Mendoza faces the following charges:

• Theft under $500 — misdemeanor
• Possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) — Class IV felony
• Possession of drug paraphernalia — infraction
• Criminal mischief — misdemeanor

During a court appearance Friday in Scotts Bluff County Court, Judge Andrea Miller set Mendoza’s bond at $10,000 with a 10% deposit required for release.

Defense attorney Brent Hansen was appointed through the Public Defender’s Office to represent Mendoza.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 17.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.