An Andalusia woman was arrested Tuesday for 11 counts of fraudulent use of credit/debit cards and three counts of second-degree forgery.

According to Andalusia Police Department Investigator Jody Scott, Hailey Lynn Weaver, 23, allegedly obtained three credit/debit cards from apu

rse left in a shopping cart, and then used the cards at various l

 

ocations in Andalusia.

APD officers arrested Weaver after being assisted by local businesses in obtaining videos and identifying Weaver using the cards.

Weaver used the cards 11 times amounting to 11 counts of fraudulent use of credit/debit cards, which carries a $10,000 bond for each count, Scott said.

Weaver also allegedly signed the card owners’ name in at least three transactions, not knowing the PIN number to the cards, which amounted to three counts of second-degree forgery, Scott said.

After obtaining warrants, APD arrested Weaver and she is being held in the Covington County Jail on a $140,000 bond.

Scott encouraged residents to use caution and to keep purses, wallets, credit/debit cards, check books and cash where it is less likely for a thief to access these items.

“With the holidays approaching, these type of crimes tend to increase, and it is not always possible to identity the subject committing these crimes,” Scott said. “During the holiday season, there is an increase of out of town traffic and visitors to our area, which makes solving some of these crimes very difficult.”

Scott said the APD “would like to thank the management and employees of the local merchants involved, for their assistance during this case.”

“The local merchants of Andalusia have always assisted the police department in every way possible and it is greatly appreciated,” he said.