Crime & Safety
Suspect Arrested For Embezzling $75K At Santa Cruz Co. Firm: Cops
The 50-year-old woman was taken into custody at an area gas station, police said.
WATSONVILLE, CA — The former employee of a Watsonville business on Hangar Way was arrested Thursday at a Salinas gas station in connection with the embezzlement of more than $75,000 from her former employer, according to authorities.
Officers were notified at the end of August that Julie Brooks, 50, was terminated from her job after the discovery she allegedly stole the company funds, the Watsonville Police Department said.
Investigators at the time were unsuccessful in attempts to locate Brooks, as they learned she possibly moved out of the area, or maybe even out of the state, and a judge issued a felony arrest warrant, police said.
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After recently hearing Brooks was in the area, Watsonville detectives worked with the Salinas Police Department to aid in the Thursday afternoon arrest in Salinas, the department said.
Brooks was booked on suspicion of felony grand theft at the Santa Cruz County Jail with bail set at $100,000, police said.
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Officials did not identify the business involved.
Anyone with information on this case can call Det. Tyler Wildey at 831-768-3356.
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