Las Cruces Woman May Have Made $20,000 In Fraudulent Purchases, Police Say

Police have arrested a Las Cruces woman they believe committed multiple counts of credit card fraud, forgery and identity theft against her former employer.

Cynthia M. Barela, 31, of the 2600 block of El Camino Real, was arrested on a warrant Monday evening and is charged with three counts of fraudulently using a credit card, 14 counts of forgery and five counts of identity theft.

Barela was employed by Green Thumb Nursery from May 2008 until May 2010. Las Cruces Police detectives said that during her employment with the business she used a company credit card to make purchases of goods or services on multiple occasions. Detectives also learned that Barela used company checks for purchasing other personal goods or services.

All together, police said they believe Barela used company funds to make more than $20,000 in fraudulent purchases.

Barela was transported to the Dona Ana County Detention Center with a cash bond set at $20,000.