Arrested for Debit Card Fraud

An arrest has now been made in the case 3WC News reported on last week concerning the misuse of a customer’s debit card at a local restaurant.  Melissa Russell of Moravian Falls met with Wilkesboro Police at the Police Station and admitted to the debit card fraud.  Russell had used to number on a customer’s debit card to steal cash from the register.  The victim actually ate at the restaurant 12 times, but there were 96 charges to their debit card.  Their meals cost 600 dollars, but they were charged over 6000 dollars.  The restaurant manager and the victim checked bank records, time sheets, and determined Russell, a former employee, was the only one working the cash register when the extra charges to the card were made.   A total of $6073.69 was stolen by fraudulently using the victim’s card.  This week, Russell turned herself in to Police and admitted to misusing the card and stealing cash in order to support her addictions to cocaine and prescription drugs.  Russell was taken to the Wilkes County Jail and her bond was set at 1000 dollars.  Her court date was set for January of next year.