Thread: Couple charged shopping, Clark County judge’s credit card

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September 03, 2008 02:18 pm
Published: September 03, 2008 10:16 am

Couple charged with shopping on Clark County judge’s credit card

By MATT THACKER
Matt.Thacker@newsandtribune.com

Police arrested a New Albany couple Sunday and accused them of using a Clark County judge’s credit card to go on a shopping spree.

Clark Circuit Court Judge Abe Navarro thinks he dropped his wallet Saturday while unloading groceries from his car.

Once he realized it was gone, Navarro called his credit card company and, according to state police, was told purchases had been made at Kroger, DVD Movie Store and Wal-Mart.

The illegal purchases totaled $400.

A Wal-Mart surveillance video — where police said more than $100 was spent —showed a couple making purchases in a self-scan lane. Navarro, who lives in Jeffersonville, identified them as his neighbor’s daughter and her boyfriend.

Indiana State Police Detective Jamey Noel arrested Amanda Conrad, 24, and Abraham Martinez, 22. Each faces a class D felony theft charge. If convicted, each could face between six months and three years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Conrad initially denied the allegations, police said, but admitted to taking a wallet she found on the sidewalk after finding out about the video.

Police said Martinez told officers they used the credit card because there was no cash in the wallet. He later recanted and told detectives he did not know of the wallet.

“I know my neighbor and she’s a good person,â€

[quote]Navarro said the experience gave him a different perspective.

“This weekend was not fun,â€

Conrad and Martinez told police they are married. Martinez is originally from Mexico and is in the country illegally, according to investigators.

Where there is an illegal alien, crime happens.

Police said Martinez told officers they used the credit card because there was no cash in the wallet.

Unbelievable. Martinez acts like it wasnt his fault for using the credit card because the wallets owner didnt leave cash for him to use.

[quote]Navarro said the experience gave him a different perspective.

“This weekend was not fun,â€