A Gwinnett County man is behind bars after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from vending machines on the campuses of Georgia State and the University of North Georgia.
Authorities said Tyrone Dwayne Lane, 26, a former employee of Georgia Vending Services, likely used a key to gain access to machines on both campuses during Christmas break.
Lane confessed to stealing the money after he was arrested, telling investigators he was sorry for thefts, but “he lost his job in October at FedEx and (needed) the money to provide for his family,” according to police reports.
University officials at both schools became suspicious after they were alerted to the possible thefts by their vendors, who said they were missing money, police reports show.
According to police, surveillance footage showed Lane forcing his way into GSU buildings, opening the machines and pouring money into a camouflage backpack.
The vending company told police Lane was a former employee who was fired in 2017 for suspected theft.
Georgia State University police Chief Joseph Spillane said the vending company was able to positively identify the former employee from the university’s surveillance video.
“My detective figured out the times that the money could have been missing, reviewed a lot of video and ended up with a pretty clear picture from our surveillance system,” he said. “We pulled him in for an interview and he admitted to thefts at several locations.”
Lane was held at the Fulton jail until Monday, when he was released to Hall County deputies to face charges there, according to jail records.
He faces multiple counts of theft by taking and second-degree burglary. He remains in the Hall County jail without bond, records show.
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