Police seek health aide accused of theft from 89-year-old
SAXONBURG — A home health aide racked up more than $8,000 in unauthorized purchases and withdrawals using the credit and bank cards of the 89-year-old woman under her care, borough police said.
The suspect, Nicole R. Christy, 30, of Center Township, is accused of buying a Hoover vacuum cleaner, an air-conditioning unit, food and other personal items during the alleged illegal shopping spree between April 9 and Aug. 9.
“She bought lots of groceries, clothes, supplies and children's toys,” said Saxonburg Police Chief Joseph Beachem. “And she went to a lot of fast-food restaurants all over the county.”
Police are looking for Christy after they got a felony arrest warrant this week from District Judge Lewis Stoughton of Chicora.
The alleged theft scheme was uncovered in August by another residential caregiver after the elderly victim, who lives on Pittsburgh Street, tried to use one of her credit cards to buy groceries.
That transaction was declined because the card exceeded its maximum credit limit, according to court documents. The victim soon learned there were similar problems with two other credit cards.
Police on Monday charged Christy with identity theft, forgery, access device fraud, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property.
