Sheriff: Woman "admitted" to stealing from employer to pay her bills | Crime

Investigators say a Bull Shoals woman accused of stealing money from her employer told them she needed it to pay her bills.

Tammy Marie Rocheleau, 45, is charged with felony forgery and felony theft of property.

According to Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery, Rocheleau admitted to forging checks from Gaston’s Resort. 

On January 22, the owners contacted the sheriff’s office after discovering Rocheleau had used a signature name on checks, which she was unauthorized to do.  Sheriff Montgomery said in a press release that Rocheleau would add or alter different amounts on petty cash tickets, then cash checks to cover those amounts using the signature stamp.

According to the sheriff, Rocheleau had been doing this since October 2011.

When sheriff’s investigators interviewed Rocheleau, she reportedly “admitted  to forging the documents and taking money to cover her bills.”

It was determined that about $2,170 had been stolen, according to the sheriff.

Rocheleau is currently free on $5,000 bond awaiting an appearance in Circuit Court on January 31.