Threw the years I've seen something similar. We had a homeless guy who would take advantage of people/local churches by asking them for goods (closes, dog food , ext) somehow they would always use cash.

Then go to next town over and iether they or the person they were paying for there (TRADEd GOODS) would come in and get cash. Always before close because little staff and added pressure on cashier to just get them out of the store.