Accused bank swindler indicted

Former teller is indicted in scam

Friday, Nov. 6, 2009

A former bank teller is charged with stealing more than $16,000 using account numbers provided by another conspirator, according to court documents in a newly indicted case.

A fraud investigator with PNC Bank contacted the Charles County Sheriff's Office on Feb. 5 on the suspicion that someone was stealing money from the branch at 6315 Crain Highway in La Plata, the documents indicated. The employee number used in the withdrawals from two separate accounts belonged to Patricia L. Tribbett, 26, of Clinton, according to the records.

The bank slips for the transactions were found torn up in the trash, court papers stated. Between Dec. 22 and Jan. 2, about $10,000 had been taken from one account, while $6,500 was removed from the other, the documents allege. Both victims said they hadn't given anyone permission to withdraw the funds.

Still photos of the transactions showed Tribbett at her teller counter unaccompanied by the account owners, charging documents stated.

In a police interview, Tribbett admitted to taking the money and said she'd gotten the account numbers from a second person, according to the court papers.

She is charged with eight counts of theft of more than $500 and conspiracy to organize a theft scheme involving more than $500.

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