Money taken from court bank account

Published 12:00 am Friday, September 23, 2016

LaGRANGE — Investigators with the LaGrange Police Department are searching for someone who took money out of the Troup County Magistrate Court’s bank account at CB&T.

Judge Vickie Sue McWaters said between Feb. 8 and 18, a person made four separate electronic withdraws. The amounts totaled $620.84, according to a police report of the incident.

McWaters said it is likely someone got a hold of the routing number and account information and used it to their advantage.

“They decided to try and see if their transactions would go through, and it worked,” she said.

The thief allegedly used the money to pay for a TracFone, plus a utility bill in the city of Augusta, among other things, McWaters stated.

It appears the alleged perpetrators may be from Richmond County, she said.

The Troup County Magistrate Court bank account holds the money collected from court costs, fees and garnishments, Judge McWaters explained. The court will sometimes issue checks to people after a case is settled.

CB&T has replaced the money taken from the account, McWaters said.

LaGrange police are still investigating the case and have not made any arrests.

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Person allegedly withdrew money to pay bills

By Melanie Ruberti

mruberti@civitasmedia.com

Melanie Ruberti is a reporter with LaGrange Daily News. She can be reached at 706-884-7311, ext. 2156.