An employee at an auto parts store in Linton is accused of taking cash and not returning it. The suspect allegedly told a police officer he needed the money to pay rent and buy food for his grandchild.

Ernest Ray Lee, 45, was arrested on Friday morning, April 26, by Linton Police Officer Nick Yingling. In jail and court records, Lee is listed with a home address in Olney, Ill.

Officer Yingling was dispatched to the O’Reilly Auto Parts Store in Linton on that day to investigate a complaint of theft.

When Yingling arrived, he was met by the store’s district manager and an employee, Ernest Lee. The manager provided Yingling with a statement written by Lee.

Yingling reported that in the statement, Lee admitted he had taken $300 cash from the safe, said he needed the money for rent and food for a child, and that he was going to return the money the next week when he got paid.

When Yingling interviewed Lee, who allegedly said he had a grandchild at home and no food. He also said he was behind on his rent. He said he took the $300 to borrow until he got paid. But he didn’t return it and he knew it was wrong.

Lee was taken into custody and booked into the Greene County Jail. He was released later in the day on a surety bond.

Lee is scheduled to appear in court next week for an initial hearing on a preliminary charge of theft, a Class A misdemeanor.