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Cops: Sandburg Cashier Accused of Stealing Over $9,200 From School

The same cashier alerted police to a theft of about $10,000 about a month ago, and is now charged with two felonies in connection to this separate incident.

An Oak Forest woman who works as a cashier at Carl Sandburg High School is facing felony charges after she was accused Friday of stealing two cash deposits from the school in late August totaling $9,215.70, according to police.

Cheryl L. Becker, 54, of the 15600 block of Vista Drive in Oak Forest, is charged with two counts of felony theft.

Consolidated High School District 230 began an internal forensic audit of money handling after three women were accused of . Becker had alerted police that the women had taken the money, leading to all three being arrested that day and the money was recovered, according to a release from the Orland Park Police Department.

In the course of the internal audit, the district found reason to believe Becker had taken cash amounts meant for bank depositing of $5,179.55 on Aug. 20, and $4,036.15 on Aug. 29, according to the release.

Some of the missing money has been recovered, but not all, and the district is still working on the forensic audit, Orland Park Police Cmdr. John Keating said Friday.

“The audit has not been completed, but so far there is no indication of other money that is missing,” Keating said. “As part of her duties, (Becker) would handle money from the cafeteria, certain clubs in the school and other areas.”

Keating referred questions about specifically where the money came from and how long she worked for the school to District 230. Representatives from the district were not immediately available for comment Friday evening.

“Even if a penny is missing, they would prosecute anyone responsible who would break that trust,” Keating said. “That’s why we sought felony charges.”

Detectives do not suspect that other Sandburg employees were connected to these thefts, according to the release.

Becker was taken to the Bridgeview Courthouse Friday morning for a bond hearing where Judge Kerry Kennedy gave $15,000 bail for each of the two charges.

She is scheduled next to be in court on Oct. 26.

Editor’s note: A mug shot for Becker was not available Friday evening.

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Harry Callahan October 5, 2012 at 10:58 pm
Can you beat that,no wonder the employees of Dist. 230 and others are living high and mighty,better not ask me for money because the Dist. needs it,
lala October 6, 2012 at 01:00 am
Classic! She turns in thieves but forgets she is one! Glad she was caught. They should make all of them pay back every penny. I hope all of these people lose their pensions as well. Mr. Callahan - how can you place blame on the school district? I would bet these employees passed criminal background checks. Greed got the best of them. Thieves are in every company. Shame on them from stealing from children.
James Cysco October 6, 2012 at 01:19 am
Not everyone is living "high and mighty" Harry, mostly administration. You should see the abysmal pay rates of most support staff. Also, look closely at your tax bill, District 230 is only about half of what district 140 takes!
Judy Lonergan October 6, 2012 at 02:26 am
This is the same woman, who at the end of last school year was extremely rude to my daughter. This woman insisted that that we did not pay for yearbooks for both of my daughters. I have four children, two have graduated & two are currently at Sandburg. I have paid for yearbooks the same way every year, by check. I was told by this cashier that I would need to pay (again). Makes me think after reading this news. How many other families have had to pay twice & was it necessary & where did the money end up?
I have to agree, it is not the fault of District 230 that this woman made the choice to steal money, money that she was trusted to handle appropriately. The fact that she became greedy was no ones fault but her own.
Harry Callahan October 6, 2012 at 02:40 am
Sure stick up for them,thats why this country is going down the sewer.
Harry Callahan October 6, 2012 at 02:47 am
You to can join the stickem up club too.
lala October 6, 2012 at 01:43 pm
Harry - where did I say I was sticking up for them?
Harry Callahan October 6, 2012 at 09:03 pm
I apologize,But 2 and 2 does not add up to 4 ,leaves $10,000 laying around its picked up and taken,then is charged with taking about the same amount herself,was anyone over seeing her work,what else is going on that I as a taxpayer doesn't know.It is up to the School District to know what their employees are up to,and are somewhat responsible.
NTOM908 October 8, 2012 at 01:07 pm
I agree with Judy. Glad she was caught. District 230 should prosecute to the fullest.
mary johnson October 10, 2012 at 10:22 am
Innocent until proven guilty. Isn't that the law. This was not a secured office and anyone could have walked in and taken money. I think the district needs to fix the security situation at the schools.
JB District October 11, 2012 at 03:37 pm
With that kind of money, why isn't administration coming up with better procedures?? What does Langert do all day anyway. This should fall on him too for lax management systems in place

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