SAXONBURG — The home health aide accused of stealing $8,000 from an 89-year-old woman under her care was arrested Friday.

Nicole R. Christy, 30, of Center Township was arraigned by District Judge Lewis Stoughton on Friday and placed in Butler County Prison on $5,000 bail, according to court records. She posted bail and was released about 5:30 p.m.

Christy 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, using the victim’s credit and bank cards.

Borough police said she also bought groceries, clothes, supplies, children’s toys and fast food.

Police on Monday charged Christy with identity theft, forgery, access device fraud, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property.

The alleged theft scheme was uncovered in August by another residential caregiver after the elderly victim of Saxonburg 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 allege Christy used the victim’s credit cards for purchases in Butler, Mercer, Allegheny and Lawrence counties, and in Michigan.

Investigators eventually connected Christy to store receipts totaling more than $6,500 made on the victim’s credit cards.

Additionally, police said, she used the elderly woman’s bank card to make unauthorized ATM withdrawals of $1,536.

Christy has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Tuesday.