Grand Forks Blue Line Club employee accused of stealing nearly $38,000

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (Valley News Live) – A Grand Forks man is facing theft charges after he allegedly stole nearly $38,000 from a safe at a bar.

Grand Forks police arrested Andrew Helfenberger after executing a search warrant on November 4th. He is charged with theft between $10,000 and $50,000.

On Oct. 27, police were called to the Long Haul Saloon at 4720 Gateway Drive for a report of a theft.

According to court documents, Helfenberger is an employee of the Grand Forks Blue Line Club, which operates a charity game at the Long Haul Saloon. He called police and told them he had arrived for his shift and was preparing the gaming area when he realized the safe was empty. He said the safe could contain between $30,000 and $50,000.

The accountant for the Grand Forks Blue Line Club said she was there a few hours earlier and counted $37,721 in the safe. She says she put the cash in wallets in the safe and locked the cabinet.

According to court documents, surveillance at the Long Haul Saloon shows a man matching Helfenberger's description walking to the gaming area, tampering with the lock on the closet and putting the wallets in a plastic bag before going out the back door.

During a search of Helfenberger's home, investigators found $21,681 in cash and a Wells Fargo deposit receipt for $4,100. Officers said he was cooperative but ultimately did not speak to them about his alleged involvement in the theft.

As of November 4, when court documents were filed, $21,681 of the stolen money had been recovered. According to police, approximately $16,040 remained unclaimed.

On Nov. 7, a judge set bail at $50,000 cash or surety. Helfenberger is due back in court in December.

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