ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — An assistant manager at Jimmy John’s is accused of breaking into his own store, stealing money from a safe, locking his car keys inside the store and calling the general manager to turn himself in, according to Pinellas Sheriff’s deputies.
- Deputies: Jimmy John's assistant manager breaks into own store
- Jonathan Cruz, 22, charged with grand theft
- Break-in happened at Bay Pines Blvd store in St. Pete
The incident happened at 12:30 a.m., at the Jimmy John’s located at 10195 Bay Pines Blvd., in Pinellas County on Sunday. Deputies said assistant manager Jonathan Cruz, 22, showed up at the store after it was closed and disconnected the power supply box to surreptitiously make entry.
Once inside the store, Cruz used his employee keys to open the safe, registers and removed $751 in cash, according to the arrest affidavit. Deputies said after leaving the store, Cruz realized he left his keys inside the locked business and repeatedly struck the glass front door until it shattered to gain entry back into the Jimmy John’s.
Cruz then called his supervisor and admitted to the theft and criminal mischief.
A short time later, Cruz returned to the store with the stolen cash and gave it to the general manager. Cruz told deputies that he was in a bad situation financially but realized as soon as he committed the offense that it was a mistake.
Cruz was arrested for felony criminal mischief and grand theft. He’s being held in the Pinellas Jail on a $4,000 bond.
Deputies estimated the repair costs for the glass front door at $1,800.
Jonathan Cruz has been charged with felony criminal mischief and grand theft. (Pinellas County Jail)