Merritt bank worker charged with theft and fraud

The Merritt RCMP has announced that Hope Moira Thomas has been charged with theft and fraud.

“A complex internal theft investigation into the alleged actions of an employee of a Merritt area financial institution, has resulted in the criminal charges being approved by the BC Prosecution Service,” said Sgt. Josh Roda.

In May 2020, Merritt Mounties were alerted to a suspected internal theft of a large sum of money discovered by the staff at a local financial institution.

“Police were told that bank officials believed the funds were fraudulently taken by one of its employees over an extended period of time,” added Roda.

The unnamed financial institution fully cooperated with the investigation.

“On March 25, 2021, the BC Prosecution Service approved one count of theft over $5,000 and two counts of fraud over $5,000 by indictment against 39-year-old Hope Moira Thomas,” concluded Roda.