Service station worker denies taking over $40k from former employer

A Victorian service station worker with sticky fingers has been caught on camera allegedly taking tens of thousands from her boss.

Peri Hortis opened Saviges Road Fast & Ezy service station in Victoria's Gippsland region with his parents 27 years ago.

In the almost four years Nicki Styles worked here, Hortis says he went above and beyond as a boss.

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On top of her pay, he says he gave Styles $50 worth of fuel each week and even gifted her a new iPhone for Christmas last year.

But Hortis said he has been left feeling "gutted" after Styles allegedly pocketed thousands of dollars from the till.

"I looked back at transactions and video footage for the two weeks that I had and then realised she was doing it every second day," Hortis said.

"She would have done it over a hundred times and it was just over $43,000 in cash.

"It is a lot of money. I'm heartbroken."

CCTV footage from the store shows Style's sticky fingers at work - bundling notes up and sneakily slipping them into her pockets.

Hortis said he first noticed his books weren't adding up about six months ago.

"I had scratchie payouts of over $700 in one day - and someone winning $700 scratchies in one day is quite a lot," he said.

Then he discovered another scratchie payout, and another, and another.

"A $300 scratchie payout, $500 scratchie payout," he said.

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Once the penny dropped, footage from previous shifts had been deleted as per ordinary practice.

But Hortis said he has transaction data supporting his claim that Styles started nicking cash in August 2022.

Another time, cameras spotted her scanning cigarettes and opening them before processing a scratchie payout to the value of the smokes and drinks.

Hortis claims he confronted her with the footage he'd seen and Styles cracked.

"She admitted it to me, she said she had to pay for her daughters' braces and that she was going to pay the money back," Hortis claimed.

"I told her she's sacked, give me the keys to the store you're out of here see you later.'

The business owner said he reported Styles' alleged crimes to Moe police on July 11, providing them with a statement.

A fortnight later, he claims he chased up the senior constable on the case and was asked to sign paperwork and return it to them.

Hortis says he returned the paperwork in early August and thought police would arrest Style the following week, but nothing has happened since.

"They thought it was a slam dunk investigation, but I haven't heard back from them," Hortis claimed.

"I've got nothing against the police, I know they're busy and have got other priorities but this is important for me."

Styles has already moved on with a new job at a nearby supermarket, while the father of three tries to recoup his losses.

"It'll take me 12 months at least to recover from it," he said.

"I can't really employ someone full-time until I replenish that income that I would have paid someone else.

"The dishonesty and the betrayal and the lies is just pathetic."

When A Current Affair approached Styles at her new workplace, she denied stealing any money from Hortis.

She did not respond to questions sent to her by A Current Affair.

FULL VICTORIA POLICE STATEMENT

Police are investigating an alleged theft at a business in Moe.

It is understood over $40,000 was stolen from a service station between August 2022 and July 2024.

A 35-year-old Newborough woman was interviewed by police as part of the investigation.

She was released pending further enquiries and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au