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Hernando Today

Employees steal $70,000 in merchandise over 2 years

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By KYLE MARTIN

Hernando Today

Published: July 1, 2009

Updated: 07/01/2009 11:46 am

James Goldberg

Barry Fehling

Robert Celli

BROOKSVILLE - For two years they slipped out $70,000 worth of goods — lawnmowers, power tools, lumber — right under the nose of loss prevention.

But they couldn't escape suspicion forever.

On Tuesday, deputies made their final arrest of three Lowe's employees accused of siphoning merchandise out of its store on Broad Street in Brooksville.

Two senior loss prevention officers began investigating the alleged thefts last week and reportedly turned up evidence that pointed to the zone manager, James Goldberg.

Goldberg told a sheriff's deputy that he had removed power tools, lawnmowers, wood and miscellaneous tools from the store for the past two years, according to a report.

He had stacked the items on a pallet for another employee, Barry Fehling, to pick up and take to either Goldberg's house or his own, a report states.

On Saturday, they were confronted by loss prevention staff and reportedly admitted to the theft. Lowe's staff went to their homes and recovered $40,000 worth of merchandise.

Goldberg, 43, of 16807 Diplomat Drive, and Fehling, 64, of Homosassa, were arrested on charges of grand theft and dealing in stolen property.

But authorities weren't done yet.

On Monday, the investigation led them to the home of the lumber manager, Robert Celli, at 8371 Diver Lane. There, deputies say they found numerous "suspicious" items, including a stainless steel refrigerator on the lanai.

Celli, 45, admitted to accepting about $6,300 worth of stolen merchandise as payment for work he did for Goldberg, according to a report.

He was charged with grand theft.

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