WOMAN ARRESTED AFTER BEING IDENTIFIED VIA VIDEO SURVEILLANCE

Emani Justine RichardsonA Benton woman was arrested after she was identified via video surveillance of allegedly using a stolen credit card to purchase merchandise. Emani Justine Richardson, 19, was taken to the Saline County Detention Center and faces charges of Breaking and Entering, class D felony; Theft of Property, class D felony; and Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card, class A misdemeanor.

At approximately 5:32 a.m. June 9, officers responded to the 200 block of Pleasant Holly Drive for a report of a breaking and entering. The victims said a garage door was accidently left open and the vehicles inside were unlocked. The victims reported their wallets were stolen from the vehicles, and they were notified by an email receipt that a credit card had been used at a local business at approximately 3:19 a.m. June 9. The victims also found that the credit card had been used at multiple businesses.

Detectives with the Benton Police Department made contact with the managers of the businesses where the credit card was used. An employee of one of those businesses was able to identify a suspect via the store’s video surveillance. Richardson was taken into custody about 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 13, and she reportedly admitted to the crimes in a police interview.

The Benton Police Department reminds citizens to secure vehicles and homes, and do not leave valuables in open view.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Benton Police Department at 501-778-1171 or 501-315-TIPS. Individuals also may send us anonymous information to CRIMES (274637) with the keyword BNPD in the body of the text or go to www.crimereports.com to leave a tip. A crime tip can also be submitted via the official Benton Police Department app found on iTunes and Google Play.