A woman flew back to the Lake Orion area from Texas last week to face charges of embezzlement and fraud at the Lakes Community Credit Union on North Park Blvd.
Norma Davila, 29, waived her preliminary exam during her arraignment Rochester 3rd/2nd District Court. Her case now moves on to circuit court. Davila is free on a $40,000 bond.
According to Lake Orion Police Chief Jerry Narsh, the credit union first filed a police report in May 2002.
“We began working with management regarding an alleged embezzlement and fraud ,” he added. “We determined cash was missing and it was due to an employee.”
During the investigation, police were able to track the missing funds (over $1,000) through to the employee’s own personal account.
“The employee (Davila) was interviewed and cooperated with police during the investigation,” Narsh said.
The suspect was charged with one count of embezzlement from a financial institution (20 year felony), one count of obtaining money under false pretenses (5 year felony) and two charges of using a computer to commit a crime (1 year misdemeanors).
Before Davila, could be charged, she fled to Bexar County (near San Antonio).
Village police were notified of her whereabouts by county police authorities on Sept. 13. Narsh spoke to Davila on Sept. 15 and convinced her to come back to Lake Orion to face her charges.
She took the next flight back to Michigan and turned herself in. Narsh believes Davila also has similar charges ongoing in Pontiac.
Narsh said the suspect created a false ATM deposit using a computer and quickly went to another machine and withdrew those phantom funds.
This can only happen at credit unions, Narsh added.
“This police department has been trying to get credit unions to change this practice, but they do this as a courtesy to their members. A regular bank despot isn’t credited until the next day when the amount is verified,” he said. “But people who defraud credit unions are easily caught.”
According to Narsh, instances of computer fraud, ID fraud and transitional larceny are on the increase across the country.
“Because of that law enforcement keeps aware and keeps pace with tactics used in those types of crimes. Most of the investigations result in arrests.
“In this instance, the people will be seeking restitution as part of any sentencing,” he added.