BLANCHESTER — A nationwide warrant has been issued for a man police say stole more than $15,000 from the Blanchester Eagles.

On Dec. 26, 2016, the Blanchester Eagles club reported the theft of more than $15,000 in Ohio Lottery tickets from the establishment they operate at 113 S. Wright St, according to Police Chief Scott Reinbolt. An investigation was opened and was assigned to Ptl. Ian Courtney.

“Ptl. Courtney viewed surveillance video from inside the Eagles Club, and was able to determine that an employee, Mackenzie ‘Mac’ Murdoch, 26, printed hundreds of Ohio Lottery tickets from the lottery machine inside the bar without paying for them,” Reinbolt said.

He said some of the tickets were winners, and that Courtney was able to track them to the locations where they were redeemed, which included retail stores in Mason, Goshen, Milford and Blanchester. Courtney went to those stores and was able to identify Murdoch as the person redeeming the winning tickets, Reinbolt said.

Murdoch, who claimed to have moved to Ohio from Texas recently, did not report to work at any time after the theft was discovered, Reinbolt said, and Courtney followed several leads as to his whereabouts in Ohio, to no avail.

The case was presented to Clinton County Prosecuting Attorney Richard Moyer, who approved presentation of the case to the county grand jury. On Monday, the grand jury returned an indictment charging Murdoch with grand theft, a fourth-degree felony.

A nationwide warrant has been issued for his arrest, Reinbolt said.

“Blanchester Eagles Aerie 2222 is a fraternal organization that is an asset to our community and provides funding for various charitable organizations throughout the year,” said Reinbolt. “It is a shame that they have been victimized by one of their employees and I’m sure the theft will reduce the funds they have available to help local charities.”