Police: Port Chester Woman Nabbed for $4k Theft After Trying to Claim Reward

A Port Chester woman faces felony charges after allegedly stealing $6,500 -- and inexplicably returning $2,500 of it to claim a reward.

Police said 46-year-old Sonjay Jones walked into L&L Market at 2 p.m. and asked the owner for a paper and pen to write something down. The distracted store owner had just counted $6,500 for a bank deposit, and the thick wad of cash was sitting in an envelope on the counter, Lt. James Ladeairous said.

Jones left the store, and it wasn't until later that the owner noticed the envelope was missing. The owner checked recorded footage from the store's surveillance cameras, which showed Jones walking out of the store with the envelope, then briefly standing outside near the doorway of a neighboring business before disappearing off-camera, Ladeairous said.

The store owner called police and was surprised when Jones walked back in and handed the envelope back to her. The owner's son counted the money and found $4,000 missing.

But instead of admitting she'd taken the money, Jones told the victims: "I want $20 for being a good citizen."

Jones was still standing in the store, waiting for her "reward," when officers arrived. The store owner showed police the completed deposit slip, made out for $6,500, and Jones was arrested. Ladeairous said police don't know why the Port Chester woman returned to the store, and officers believe she stashed the missing $4,000 before returning the remaining $2,500.

Jones, of 8 Palace Place, was charged with third-degree grand larceny, a felony.