A woman responsible for caring for an elderly woman has been charged with taking advantage of her position, stealing a credit card and making purchases with the card.

According to a report in the Pottstown Mercury, the 22-year-old Pittsburgh-area woman, along with her 21-year-old boyfriend, allegedly made 69 purchases on the credit card, totaling $9,225.83.

The alleged shopping spree came to an end when Pennsylvania State Police arrested the duo. Both individuals face felony counts of credit card fraud, identity theft, as well as theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property, as well as lesser charges.

The woman, who was working for Chestnut Knoll Home Services in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, at the time of the alleged crimes, was released from county jail after posting $2,000 bail. The man apparently remained incarcerated in lieu of $20,000 bail.

The arrest affidavit indicated that the woman purportedly stole the credit from the elderly victim, age 79, and then gave it to her boyfriend.

The man, who police say was ultimately responsible for the use of the card, spent four days, beginning on Feb. 26, allegedly making unauthorized purchases on the card. In addition to the purchases the man allegedly withdrew $80 in cash using the card.

The boyfriend was allegedly able to successfully make the transactions because the woman's PIN number had been included with the card when his girlfriend reportedly stole it.

According to the newspaper account, a daughter of the elderly woman noticed the charges being made to the credit card and alerted authorities.

Source: Pottstown Mercury: "$9,000 charged to stolen card; health aide arrested" by Brandie Kessler: July 22, 2011