Gentry police looking to identify alleged thief

GENTRY - Police are trying to identify a woman who allegedly broke into a car and stole a purse in Decatur and then used debit cards and a check from that purse to make purchases in Gentry.

According to information released by the Gentry Police Department, the woman in the accompanying photo broke into a car parked in Decatur and stole a purse on April 5. She then used the victim’s ATM/debit card to make six purchases in Gentry and forged a check on the victim’s account to make an additional purchase at an auto parts store in Gentry.

If Gentry police can identify the woman, they plan to charge her with seven felonies for her use of the stolen cards and checks in Gentry.

Police believe the woman may be from the Tulsa or Broken Arrow area of Oklahoma because she used the victim’s card to purchase time for a Boost Mobile phone with a Tulsa area number and also provided a Broken Arrow number for warranty information on the auto parts she purchased with the forged check. She also allegedly attempted to use the victim’s Kohls card at the 11001 East 71st Street Kohl's in Tulsa, but the card was declined.

She may also have some connection to Decatur since the purse was reportedly stolen from a car parked in the Simmons fitness center gym in Decatur.

According to information released by police, debit card purchases at Walmart amounted to $200; $105.44; $53.94; and $53.94. Debit card purchases at the Phillips 66 Station in Gentry amounted to $117.63, and $54.06. A forged personal check to O’Reilly Auto Parts in Gentry was in the amount of $513.03.

Anyone with information on the alleged thief is asked to call the Gentry Police Department at 736-8400.

News, Pages 1 on 06/05/2013