Emerald City Smoothie Ex-Employee Accused of $3,167 Credit Card Fraud — Mercer Island Police Blotter

Managers at Emerald City Smoothie alleged an ex-employee fraudulently used the business's company credit card and reported the fraud and forgery on Nov. 27.

Mercer Island Police say the 28-year-old woman made approximately 44 separate unauthorized charges during a month-long spending spree in November, amounting to $3,167.57. The employee was apparently fired soon after the last fraudulent charge was reported on Nov. 23.

The charges to the Sterling Bank credit card were made without authorization for personal purchases, the woman's cell phone and cable bills at her Seattle apartment.

Nov. 28

Gun, Heroin Found in Truck During Traffic Stop
Police arrested the driver of a silver Ford F-250 truck after he was stopped for expired registration tabs and a suspended license on the 8000 block of SE 28th Street. As the vehicle was being secured by police, an officer located drug paraphrenalia — including a scale and a pipe — with traces of heroin on it and a handgun. The owner, a 40-year-old Bothell man said the gun was an "airsoft" toy and denied he owned the pipe.

Dec. 1

Woman Impersonates Nurse in Prescription Fraud Arrest
A 48-year-old Seattle woman was arrested by detectives at the North-end Rite Aid pharmacy for fraud at 10:15 a.m. The woman called the store and impersonated nursing staff for a non-existent person.

Dec. 2

Handgun Stolen From Truck Parked at East Seattle Home
Car prowlers broke into a Ford F-250 parked at a residence on the 3000 block of 61st Ave. SE sometime overnight and stole several items, including a .40-caliber handgun. The 53-year-old owner said his truck was locked but police found no signs of forced entry. Another nearby vehicle — an unlocked Audi A6 — was also broken into overnight on the 5900 block of SE 30th Street, and took an iPhone 4 from inside.

Dec. 3

Man Banned QFC Arrested For Trespassing
A 22-year-old man was arrested a few blocks away from the North-end QFC at 1:16 a.m. after he had entered the store earlier that morning. The man was cited for criminal trespassing and had an outstanding warrant for his arrest in Bellevue, and was later transfered into Bellevue Police custody.

(Ed. Note: The Mercer Island Police Blotter is not intended to be representative of all crime on Mercer Island, but is instead a representation of police activity from the persepctive of the MIPD.)