Why spend a whole lot of time embezzling money from your place of employment over a long period — like months, or even years — of time when you could just get thousands during your first day on the job?

Meanwhile in New Jersey . . .

Some dude landed a job at a gas station in Hamden, New Jersey . . . and we’re pretty sure the hiring manager immediately regretted that decision.

First day on the job — like, we’re talking his FIRST SHIFT — dude stole $17,183 worth of stuff, including lottery tickets, 89 cartons of cigarettes, and CASH!

Then he took off.

Police are still looking for him and have released a screenshot of him from the gas station’s surveillance cameras in an effort to get help identifying him.

You can check out that photo HERE. 

Here’s the real kicker . . . they don’t know his name or info because the dude also stole his employment folder.

HOW ON EARTH DID HIS BOSSES NOT ALREADY KNOW HIS NAME?!?!?

To be continued . . .