FERNDALE, Wash. — Ferndale Police arrested a 48-year-old woman yesterday, October 22nd, and charged her with suspicion of first degree theft exceeding $5,000 and forgery. Police say financial records indicated she had been stealing from the company during the last 3 years.
Christine D Rodelas had been employed by Tuff Trucks as a bookkeeper for over 7 years according to Ferndale Police and is suspected to stealing nearly $500,000 from 2017 to 2020.
Ferndale Police said in a news release today that Rodelas used company credit and wrote company checks without authorization. Bank records showed the checks were written for cash and the business owner’s name was forged according to the release.
An affidavit of probable cause filed with Whatcom County Superior Court said the business owner contacted Ferndale Police on October 8th to report an ex-employee with access to the company’s accounts and credit cards was suspected of having stolen from him. The owner provided police with bank documentation detailing how the money had been taken without his permission.
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Click for more informationRodelas is reported to have a residence in the Philippines according to the affidavit.
During her first appearance in court yesterday bail was set at $50,000 and she was ordered to surrender her passports according to court documents.
According to Whatcom County Jail records, Rodelas remained in custody this morning.