Complaint: Vet Clinic Employee Charged with Credit Card Fraud

An Oakdale woman and employee of Century Animal Clinic was charged with credit card fraud after making several unauthorized purchases with a woman's credit card. 

Sarah Lynn Haines, 33, was charged in Washington County District Court last week. 

According to the criminal complaint:

A woman reported 24 fraudulent transactions were made using her credit card. The transactions took place over an eight-day period from May 22 to May 29. Six of the transactions were at Oakdale's Target and more purchases were made at the Stillwater Target store. Other purchases were made in several locations in Maplewood White Bear Lake, Richfield and North St. Paul.

The unauthorized purchases totaled $1,154. 

Surveillance footage from the stores showed a woman with long light brown or dark blonde hair making the purchases with the credit card. The footage also showed the woman driving either a white car or a green pick-up truck.

The victim believed her credit card was stolen on May 22 when she was visiting the Century Animal Clinic in Maplewood. In June, officers spoke with the animal clinic's manager and showed her the surveillance footage. The manager identified Haines as the woman making the purchases and also confirmed that Haines drives a white car or green pick-up truck.

When officers interviewed Haines she admitted that she found the credit card outside of the animal clinic and made several purchases with the card. 

If Haines is found guilty she could face up to five years in prison and pay up to $10,000 in fines. 

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