I, 24f, work as a cashier at a gas station in Virginia. Recently I was selling cigarettes, lottery, and some food to a lady. She ended up snatching everything i was giving her from my hand before eventually running out the store without paying. Another co worker ran after her but she sped off. Come to find out, when the police came she was already wanted, like she has 35+ charges and 10+ pending charges. Her total was less then 60$ but my DM is saying I need to pay for it?? Ive never heard of this. My job also has no employee handbook to off of so I cant even check. I know in Virginia its illegal to deduct funds from a check without signing a waiver, which i haven't signed. This is my first job working with lottery so im unfamiliar with the laws so I had to research but im still stumped. Also after the lottery tickets were stolen, no one called the lottery people to have the stolen tickets voided. I know 60 isnt that much but it is to me and it's also the principle of the situation. Do I legally need to pay for it? I mean wouldnt they just get the money through business insurance seen it was theft. There's a police case number and everything. Also my job is inconsistent. There have been multiple former employees that have stolen and been fired for it without paying for what they stolen, so how can they ask me to pay for it when I never stole anything. I really am unsure of what to do. Im going to ask my manager when she comes in today about it and try to speak with the DM as well.
Location: Virginia