Hiawatha man accused of stealing cash, lottery tickets from Kwik Shop in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Hiawatha man was arrested late last week on suspicion of stealing cash and lottery tickets from a Kwik Shop in northeast Cedar Rapids where he worked.

Cedar Rapids police said Anthony A. Higgins, 46, voided or refunded items where customers paid cash between July 23 and Sept. 17 and then took the cash while working at Kwik Shop, 4201 Center Point Rd. NE.

Police said he also refunded items from the sales floor and used the refunded cash to redeem lottery tickets.

The stolen amount totaled $2,569.45, police said.

Higgins' actions were captured on video surveillance, authorities said.

Officers interviewed Higgins, and he admitted to about $2,500 in theft and using the refunded money to buy lottery tickets on four separate occasions.

Higgins faces charges of second-degree theft and Iowa Lottery violation.

A bench warrant was issued for Higgins after he failed to appear in Linn County District Court for his initial appearance Dec. 1. He was taken into custody Monday and made his initial appearance that day.

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