Roaring Spring Woman Accused of Stealing from Employer

A Roaring Spring woman is facing charges after police said she stole thousands of dollars from her former employer.

According to charges filed by Hollidaysburg State Police, Stefanie L. Musselman, 35, the former manager of Puff Super Value in Roaring Spring, stole more than $20,000 over a nine-day period beginning Jan. 29, 2022.

According to police, on March 17, the owner of Puff Super Value reported that Musselman had stolen cash from the store’s safe. The cash, which was to be deposited in the bank, was the store’s profits from sales, lottery tickets, and the skills machine. The owner told police that only he and Musselman had the combination to the safe and that he was out of town during the period when the money was allegedly stolen.

The owner told police that he spoke to Musselman on Feb. 9, and she allegedly admitted to stealing the cash. The owner said he then fired Musselman.

When police asked the owner why he waited more than a month to report the alleged theft, the owner told them that he attempted to get Musselman to repay the money without going to court. The owner showed police a text conversation he had with Musselman where he gave her the total amount she owed and asked her how she wanted to handle it.

When Musselman asked what her options were, the owner texted back. “Really only full payment or court. Sorry not many choices involved.”

The text conversation showed that Musselman responded with “I understand, when would you need full payment?” The owner texted back that he would give her three weeks to pay back the money.

According to police, the owner showed them that he texted Musselman back on March 11 with “Checking in. It’s been over three weeks. Wanted to see where you stand with the store situation,” but Musselman didn’t reply.

On March 17, police questioned Musselman at her residence and she allegedly told them that she was behind on making store deposits because she had a hard time keeping up with her managerial duties because of a lack of staff at the store and that she was having problems at home.

Musselman allegedly told police that she went to the bank on the days in question but when police asked her why there is no record of a deposit for nine straight days, she had no answer and claimed it had to be incorrect. Police said Musselman then told them that she did not make any deposits and that the money in question should be in the safe.

Police said Musselman agreed that she and the owner were the only two people with the combination to the safe and that she knew the owner was away during the period the money allegedly went missing. Police said when they asked Musselman if she didn’t steal the money then who could have, she did not have an answer.

When police read Musselman the text conversation between her and the owner, she allegedly told them that the conversation was not an admission to the owner that she took the money and that there were “a hundred different ways” the text conversation could be interpreted. Police said when they asked Musselman for one other interpretation she did not respond. Musselman then allegedly stated, “I’ll see you in court,” and walked inside her residence.

Musselman is facing a felony count of theft by unlawful taking. She was arraigned by Tyrone Magisterial District Judge Fred Miller and released on $35,000 unsecured bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for today, Nov. 17, in front of Martinsburg Magisterial District Judge Andrew Blattenberger.