Contact: Captain Michael J. Winquist, Detective Commander, Rhode Island State Police Headquarters, (401) 444-1008
Colonel Steven G. O'Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Commissioner of Public Safety, announces that on January 3, 2013, at approximately 8:00 AM, members of the State Police Financial Crimes Unit arrested Dana L. Collins, age 23, of 166 Morgan Avenue, Johnston, Rhode Island for Larceny over $1,500, Uttering and Publishing, and Access to a Computer for Fraudulent Purposes. Collins was taken into custody at her residence.
The investigation by the State Police Financial Crimes Unit began in September 2012. Ms. Collins is a former employee of Metro Motor Group and was the personal assistant to the company President. As such, she was responsible for managing his personal bank accounts, as well as his real estate business accounts. An audit of these accounts revealed that since 2009, Collins was making unauthorized payments on her personal bills from her employer's bank account, as well as issuing checks to either cash or directly to herself without authorization. Over the course of three years, Collins made $197,518.93 in unauthorized payments and withdrawals for personal use.
Collins was arraigned at Third District Court before the Honorable Judge J. Terence Houlihan on the following charges:
§11-41-1 Larceny §11-17-1 Uttering and Publishing §11-52-2 Access to a Computer for Fraudulent Purposes
Ms. Collins was released on $10,000 personal recognizance.