Nordstrom employee accused of stealing $7,000 in merchandise at fulfillment center in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS - Police arrested a Nordstrom employee this week after it was reported he had stolen more than $7,000 worth of merchandise.

A Nordstrom investigation determined Abraham T. Tarley, 18, of Cedar Rapids had committed the thefts while employed at Nordstrom Midwest Fulfillment Center, 7700 18th St. SW, according to a criminal complaint. The center fulfills online orders.

Tarley tried to sell some of the stolen items on Facebook, investigators said.

When confronted, Tarley admitted to the thefts and returned some of the merchandise, the complaint states.

Tarley faces a charge of second-degree theft, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

He is the fourth Nordstrom employee charged with theft in the past year.

In October, Rhonda L. Kies, 48, of Vinton was charged with first-degree theft. She was accused of placing several thousand dollars' worth of stolen items on an online auction site.

In November 2018, Gary G. Black, 55, of Cedar Rapids, was charged with first-degree theft after it was reported he had taken about $6,200 in merchandise and more than $7,000 in cash.

Police said Black admitted to thefts in which he removed merchandise valued at more than $150,000.

This past July, Nicholas Heins, 26, of Cedar Rapids was charged with first-degree theft after authorities said he had taken more than $20,000 in merchandise from the facility.

Heins admitted to stealing multiple items from June 11 to July 17, 2019, authorities said.

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