Classroom Aide Swiped Colleague’s Wallet: Deputies

TAMPA, FL — A 58-year-old Hammond Elementary School classroom aide faces criminal charges after Hillsborough County deputies say she was captured on video using a stolen credit card. That card, authorities say, belonged to another aide at the school.

The case against Sylvia Menes Clark began to unfold around 3 p.m. Sept. 5 on the campus of the 8008 N. Mobley Road school. Deputies say an aide was sitting outside watching her children during recess. Clark, an email from the sheriff’s office said, was sitting at the same table. (For more local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Tampa Patch. Click here to find your local Florida Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

At some point during recess, the victim left her purse and lunchbox on the table while she went to help a student. Clark is accused of taking the woman’s wallet, which had contents valued at more than $340 inside.

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Later that same evening, deputies say the stolen credit card was used at Publix, 15151 N. Dale Mabry Highway. When detectives looked at surveillance video from the store, they say Clark was seen using the card.

Clark was charged with grand theft and fraudulent use of a credit card. She was brought into custody on Wednesday, Sept. 20. She was later released from the Hillsborough County Jail in lieu of $2,500 bond, jail records indicate.

"Ms. Clark has been instructed not to report to school while the district investigates," district spokeswoman Tanya Arja told Patch. Arja also clarified Clark's position as a paraprofessional, not as a teacher as was initially reported by the sheriff's office.

Booking photo courtesy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office