KINGSHILL — A former Home Depot employee who allegedly used store resources to pay off her private credit cards was arrested after a year-long investigation, authorities said.
Wendy Roberts, 41, was arrested Tuesday morning and charged with fraudulent use of a credit card, obtaining money by false pretense, grand larceny and access to a computer for fraudulent purposes, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
Detectives from the Economic Crimes Unit initiated an investigation into fraudulent activities at the Home Depot in Barren Spot on St. Croix on October 12, 2021, according to the VIPD.
“As a result of the investigation a warrant was obtained for Wendy Roberts’ arrest, after she admitted to making several unauthorized transactions, then refunding the money to her VyStar Credit Union account, and her Bank of St. Croix Visa Credit card account while she was employed
at The Home Depot,” VIPD Communications Director Glen Dratte said.
Detectives with the VIPD Economic Crimes Unit executed an arrest warrant at 10:47 a.m. Tuesday at Plaza Extra East and placed Roberts under arrest without incident.
Roberts was then processed and booked. Bail for Roberts was set at $20,000.00. Unable to post bail, she was remanded to the custody of the Bureau of Corrections pending an advice-of-rights hearing.
After being terminated by Home Depot for stealing, Roberts became employed by Plaza Extra East.
Readers of the Virgin Islands Free Press on social media tended to be critical of the suspect.
“Oh my. This is so not worth it, unbelievable and unbearable to see the foolishness our people do that makes you want to knock the hell out of them,” Monica Ryan said on Facebook. “I am appalled just reading this. Come on people, the end does not justify the means. Leave your employees things alone and work for what you want period.”
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