Two managers at a Santa Rosa restaurant were arrested this week for allegedly embezzling thousands of dollars by voiding cash transactions, according to police. The restaurant, located in the 3000 block of Marlow Road, had been under investigation following reports of financial discrepancies.
The owners contacted Santa Rosa police in early February after noticing irregularities in voided transactions during one manager’s shifts. These transactions, which were supposed to be properly documented, were left unrecorded, raising suspicions. Upon further investigation, police found even more significant discrepancies, leading to a deeper review of all voided transactions.
Investigators found that 27-year-old Manuel Arzate Pelayo frequently voided cash transactions hours after sales, keeping the cash without the necessary documentation. Over 18 months, Pelayo allegedly stole over $40,000 from the restaurant. Detectives also spoke with customers involved in the voided transactions, confirming they had no issues with their meals or service.
As the investigation progressed, additional suspicious transactions were discovered involving another manager, 25-year-old Jordan Sorg. Sorg was also found to be voiding partial cash transactions without documentation, allegedly stealing over $9,000 during a 12-month period.
On Wednesday morning, detectives served a search warrant at Pelayo’s residence in the 2300 block of Tedeschi Drive, where he was arrested and booked into Sonoma County Jail on charges of embezzlement and grand theft. During the search, investigators found personal checks belonging to someone else in a roommate’s bedroom. These checks were linked to an unrelated check fraud case, leading to the arrest of 34-year-old Thalia Perez, who was found in the home at the time.
Later that morning, detectives also served a search warrant at Sorg’s residence in the 100 block of Noonan Ranch Circle. Sorg was arrested and booked into Sonoma County Jail on similar charges.
Both locations were found to have digital evidence, which is being reviewed by investigators.
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