Police: Store Employee And Accomplice Stole Lottery Tickets

SMITHFIELD – A cashier at a Smithfield business and an accomplice are accused of stealing multiple lottery tickets on two occasions.

On July 11, Smithfield Police responded to Holley’s Open Air Market, at 716 S. Brightleaf Boulevard, to investigate. A manager reportedly told police an employee, Bilinda Magaly Escalante, took $950 of lottery tickets and placed them inside a plastic bag. Escalante gave the bag to Mary Denise Sanders, who left the store with the unpaid tickets.

Police said they obtained warrants for Escalante for felony larceny by employee, and Sanders for misdemeanor possession of stolen property.

On July 12, Escalante returned to work and officers were called by the manager to serve the warrants.

Before officers arrived, Escalante had reportedly stolen an additional $855 worth of lottery tickets and gave them to Sanders in the same manner. The manager observed the theft and retrieved the plastic bag and lottery tickets from Sanders.

Police arrived and arrested Escalante, age 50, of Martin Luther King Drive, Smithfield, and Sanders, age 53, of E. Dundee Street, Smithfield. Escalante was also charged with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia after a small amount of suspected cocaine and drug paraphernalia was reportedly found in her pockets by arresting officers.

Escalante was held in the Johnston County Jail under a $30,000 secured bond. Sanders was released on a $1,000 unsecured bond. (A mugshot for Mary Denise Sanders was not available.)