An investigation that began in December when a woman reported her credit card and checks missing resulted in the arrest of two people Sunday.
Robert Stanley, 43, and April Cooper, 32, allegedly used the credit card to buy gasoline, Deputy Prosecutor Maxie Kizer said during a court hearing Tuesday.
Kizer said the victim hired Stanley and Cooper to do work around her home on Dec. 5 and when they left, she noticed her Discover card and several checks were missing.
Detective Kevin Patterson reported that in addition to using the credit card, the two tried unsuccessfully to cash checks on the victim’s account.
Kizer said when Stanley and Cooper were arrested, they waived their right to an attorney, with Stanley admitting to the incident, and Cooper denying any involvement.
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Pine Bluff District Judge John Kearney ruled prosecutors had probable cause to charge Stanley and Cooper with fraudulent use of a credit card and forgery, and Copper with an additional count of theft of property.
Kearney set a $2,500 bond for Stanley, who Kizer said had a prior conviction in 1999 for which he received probation, and a $1,500 bond for Cooper, who Kizer said had no prior convictions or pending charges.
The Public Defender’s Office was appointed to represent Stanley and Cooper and they were told to come back to court March 7 at 9 a.m.