Bloomington man arrested for stealing gasoline sales money

DOWNS -- Police say a Bloomington man pocketed a fraction of a penny for every gallon of fuel sold during his shifts at a Freedom Oil service station in Downs.

After three years, 39-year-old Christopher T. Lafever had raked in about $20,000, McLean County Detective Cliff Rushing said Friday.

Lafever was indicated Wednesday on a charge of theft by deception of more than $10,000.

Lafever reportedly stole the money by altering the amount of income reported to the company between June 2004 and October 2007.

Lafever reportedly told detectives he was changing the pump price one day when he found a flaw in the price system and exploited it.

Rushing said Lafever embezzled $35 to $50 in each of his shifts -- charging customers the correct amount but telling the company he was charging less.