Woman accused of stealing from employer

A Russellville woman was arrested on Friday after allegedly stealing more than $5,000 from a local business where she was employed.

Samantha A. Montgomery, 44, 1012 North Jackson Ave., Russellville, was arrested and charged with first-degree theft by deception, Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett said.

According to Hargett, Montgomery is accused of stealing more than $5,000 from Burns Nursing Home in Russellville where Montgomery was employed.

Hargett said investigators received a call from officials at Burns Nursing Home on Friday about a possible theft.

When going through records, nursing home officials had noticed some discrepancies in the financial records and discovered that some of the numbers they had were not adding up.

During the course of the investigation, Hargett said officers were able to determine an employee had been receiving checks that were intended to pay for residents’ fees.

Hargett said instead of depositing the checks into the business account, the employee was making some of the checks out to cash and taking the money and depositing it in a personal bank account.

Hargett said Montgomery was implicated as the one who had been cashing the checks and she was questioned and arrested on Friday.

Hargett said the money thought to be stolen at this time was more than $5,000 but an audit is being completed and those figures could change.

Montgomery was released from custody on a $5,000 bond.

Lt. Scotty Lowery said the investigation in the case is still ongoing.