Brick Woman Charged With Theft, Fraud In Debit Card Case

A Brick Township woman is facing criminal charges in connection with the use of a debit card that was left behind in a bank’s automated teller machine, Brick police said Thursday.

Natasha Perez, 22, who lives in the Drum Point Arms apartment complex, was arrested Wednesday and charged with forgery, theft by deception and criminal access of a device (a charge related to the fraudulent use of a debit card) in connection with the incident.

The victim told police he used his ATM card at the Santander Bank on Aug. 6 and left his card behind. Sgt. Larry Petrola said police determined the woman -- now identified as Perez -- found the card in the machine shortly afterward and used it during the next three days at several local businesses.

Petrola said soon after social media posting about the case on Aug. 13 that included surveillance photos, the department received several tips. Detective Mike Bevacqua investigated the tips and it led to the arrest of Perez about 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Petrola said.

“As always, thank you for your help,” Petrola said in a Facebook post announcing the arrest.

Perez‘s bail was set at $10,000, no 10 percent, which she since has posted. She was released pending a court appearance.