Stores report similar instances of being short-changed in bills

The con artists fast-talked clerks and took $340 from the two businesses.
A clerk at the Sheetz store on Mahoning Avenue in Austintown was short-changed in an apparent scam Tuesday, and an hour later, a clerk at the Giant Eagle in Canfield also was short-changed.
Around 3:30 p.m., a clerk at Sheetz reported to police that a man bought $47 worth of merchandise and paid for it with a $50 bill. The man began making small talk with the clerk, then asked for his $50 back. Then he asked for change for a $100 bill, a police report said.
After a few more bill exchanges, the man left with $91 of the store's money, the report said.
Around 4:30 p.m., a Canfield Giant Eagle manager told police there that a cashier was short-changed $249 in a similar way.
The cashier told police that two men, possibly in their 30s, were in her line, being loud and cracking jokes with other patrons. The first man bought a bottle of soda and paid for it with a $50 bill, she told police. The second man kept looking around and talking loudly.
The cashier described a confusing exchange of bills between her and the man making the purchase. After giving him change for his $50, he told her he thought he gave her $20.
Then he asked her if he gave her $100 in twenties, could he have two fifties. Then he changed his mind and asked for twenties instead. Then he said he wanted fifties. Then he said he wanted fives.
The clerk caught on and tried to call her manager, but as soon as she picked up the phone, the men left, a police report said.