Pharmacy tech charged with theft

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A local pharmacy technician is facing two first-degree misdemeanors after allegedly using an elderly customer’s debit card to purchase groceries.

According to an affidavit filed with the Hillsboro Municipal Court, the alleged victim contacted the Hillsboro Police Department Saturday evening. He reported that after picking up a prescription at a local pharmacy’s drive-thru, he realized “once he got home (that) he did not have his bank debit/credit card,” as stated in an affidavit.

The alleged victim added that he then returned to the drive-thru to see if he had dropped his debit card, but could not find it. His wife then reportedly called the pharmacy to see if anyone had turned in the card, or if it had been left at the pharmacy.

After being told that the card had not been located, she checked the online account and found that the card had been used for $72.85 worth of groceries, the affidavit stated.

The officer reported that he then contacted the store manager, who advised that she had checked surveillance tapes and “that the pharmacy tec(hnician) took the card,” the affidavit stated. The manager also reportedly advised that the same card was used to purchase groceries for $72.85.

The pharmacy technician was identified as Heather Mowrey, 38, Bainbridge.

The following day the officer contacted Mowrey. He also reported that the alleged victims, ages 69 and 61, “did not want to pursue the felony charges,” the affidavit added. The officer listed those felonies as charges for theft from the elderly or for misuse of a credit card with the victim being elderly.

When Mowrey later came to the police department she allegedly stated that “the debit card was left at the pharmacy and she placed it into her work vest and forgot about it,” according to the affidavit.

She also allegedly said that she then went shopping, “and went to pay and just grabbed a card out of her work vest and paid for the merchandise,” the affidavit stated.

Mowrey reportedly said that she did not realize she had the man’s card until she got home. At that time, Mowrey said she threw the card in the trash, the affidavit added.

The officer reported that he then told Mowrey that surveillance tapes showed her allegedly “hiding the card while the male was in the drive-thru window” and then “look(ing) around to see if anyone was watching her,” as stated in the affidavit.

He also reportedly asked her if she kept her debit card in her work vest. She allegedly said that she did not, and that she kept it in her purse.

According to the affidavit, Mowrey said the incident “was a complete accident.”

When asked why she did not call the police about the card, she said that she panicked, according ot the affidavit.

She also reportedly told the officer that she had the money to pay back the purchase on the card. The affidavit added that she turned in $72.85 to the officer and that the money was later returned to the alleged victims.

Mowrey was placed under arrest and transported to the Highland County Justice Center, where she was processed for first-degree misdemeanors theft and credit misuse.

On Monday, Mowrey appeared on those charges in municipal court.

Records showed that a pretrial is set for next month. Her bond is set at her own recognizance. While her cases are pending, Mowrey is to have no contact with the alleged victims.

Reach Sarah Allen at 937-393-3456, ext. 1680, or on Twitter @SarahAllenHTG.

Suspect allegedly used elderly customer’s card for groceries

By Sarah Allen

[email protected]

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