A 62-year-old Lake Orion man allegedly stole money from gumball-style vending machines at the Independence Township Kroger store last week, and was found in possession of computer printouts with information on similar machines at other stores, according to Oakland County Sheriff reports.
Having been arraigned Friday, April 16 with a $5,000 cash bond, Jerome H. Dyczkowski faces an April 26 pre-trial examination before 52-2 District Judge Dana Fortinberry on a charge of breaking and entering to coin-operated vending machines.
Lt. Dale LaBair, commander of the Independence Township sheriff’s substation, said the felony charge carries a potential three-year prison sentence.
The incident occurred Thursday, April 15. An employee reported seeing the suspect emptying quarters from the lobby machines, which dispense candy and toys. While employees called 9-1-1, a store manager attempted to follow the suspect.
With the help of witnesses, deputies eventually caught Dyczkowski attempting to hide behind a vehicle in a restaurant parking lot, reports said.
Dyczkowski was found with $31.50 in quarters and $125 in other cash, reports said, and his vehicle contained part of a gumball machine, bags of candy and a burlap money bag in addition to the computer printouts, reports said.
A representative for the vending machine company, Amusement Factory of Lakeland, Mich., reported $225 missing from the machines at the store.
Detective Sgt. Matt Baldes said the evidence could be linked to similar thefts at other stores, and the case is still under investigation.