Former Speedway employee must pay $6,200 restitution for coffee refund scam, stay out of trouble for one year

An Elyria man who admitted he stole thousands of dollars from Speedway by processing fake coffee refunds while working there could have his felony charge dismissed if he follows a strict set of rules for the next year. Aaron Weber, 25, of Lexington Avenue, pleaded guilty Wednesday to theft, a felony, in Lorain County Common Pleas Court, according to court records. Judge Raymond Ewers did not find Weber guilty. Instead, he ordered him into a pre-trial diversion program for first-time, low-level, non-violent felony offenders whose crimes didn't involve drugs. Weber must pay $6,200 restitution to Speedway, plus $20 per month in supervision fees through the court. He has to submit to random drug testing, stay drug- and alcohol-free, find and keep a job and follow any rules given to him by Adult Probation officials. If Weber follows the rules and stays out of trouble for one year, the county Prosecutor's Office may recommend the charge be dismissed. Weber faced six to 12 months in prison, though low-level felonies like the one he admitted to nearly never result in prison time. Elyria police arrested Weber after a Speedway corporate investigator figured out that Weber issued fake refunds for coffee drinks and pocketed thousands of dollars in cash in a little under six weeks between January and February at the convenience store at 990 E. Broad St. in Elyria Caught on video, Weber admitted what he did and told police he stole because he was behind on his rent and afraid of becoming homeless. Speedway fired Weber and banned him from the store.