A 21-year-old Austin woman faces a theft charge in connection with her efforts to falsely collect money for tornado relief efforts, police say.
Police said, Amanda Barrett of Austin was arrested June 14 after she contacted a business in Scott County and attempted to solicit a donation on behalf of the Scott County office of the American Red Cross.
People at the business became suspicious and contacted the Jackson County office of the American Red Cross, which oversees the fundraising and administrative functions for the Scott County Red Cross Service Center.
Barrett was not affiliated with either Red Cross office, police said.
After a donation was arranged by the Jackson County Red Cross and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department at a location south of Crothersville, a vehicle driven by Barrett was stopped and she was arrested for theft.
Barrett was booked into Jackson County Jail in Brownstown at 7:03 p.m. Tuesday. She posted a $1,005 bond at 8:22 p.m. and was released.
Jackson County Reserve Officer Scott Davis investigated and was assisted by county Reserve Officer Jerry Kindred and Crothersville Chief of Police Vurlin McIntosh.
“Everyone should check carefully before donating money or giving out bank account numbers or credit card information to anyone who solicits an individual or business donation for any charity or nonprofit organization,” said Jackson County Sheriff Mike Carothers.
