Police: Woman stole $17K from work
An East Greenville woman must answer to charges in Montgomery County Court that she embezzled more than $17,000 from her former employer, Laurel House, the East Norriton agency that assists domestic violence victims.
Jennifer Boyer, 43, of the 400 block of Third Street, recently waived her preliminary hearing before District Court Judge Marc A. Alfarano on felony charges of theft by deception, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property in connection with alleged incidents that occurred in 2018 while she worked at Laurel House.
Boyer faces a May 8 formal arraignment on the charges in county court. Boyer remains free on $25,000 unsecured bail while awaiting court action.
Laurel House provides hotline and emergency shelter services as well as other supportive services for those in crisis due to domestic violence.
An investigation began on Nov. 5, 2018, when administrators of Laurel House contacted East Norriton police to report a possible theft by Boyer.
The investigation determined Boyer allegedly took socks and gift cards that were donated to the organization and sold the items on eBay and used the profit for personal use instead of depositing it in Laurel House accounts.
“(Administrators) told me Boyer had not made any purchases of the socks in question or gotten permission to sell socks,” alleged East Norriton Detective Michael Henricks.
Laurel House officials told authorities that Boyer previously had permission to sell items on eBay with the proceeds to be deposited into Laurel House’s accounts, however, that was a few years ago and Boyer had not had permission since that
time, according to the arrest affidavit.
When Boyer was confronted by detectives about the allegations she confessed, court papers indicate.
“Boyer stated her family was going through some financial difficulties and there were times she sold items belonging to Laurel House (gift cards, clothing, etc.) through her eBay account,” Henricks alleged. “Boyer said she had every intention of making Laurel House whole but was unable to.”
Detectives determined the loss related to the theft reached $17,778, according to the arrest affidavit.