Former homecare worker arrested for forgery

Christina M. Mendez, the former home care worker charged with a felony for allegedly accepting an $11 check from a client and altering it to read $11,000, was arrested last Friday.

Mendez, 29, of the 2100 block of Lester Avenue, is charged with one count of forgery over $2,500. The charge is a third-degree felony count. Mendez was arrested on a warrant Friday afternoon and booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center. She posted bond that evening.

Las Cruces Police detectives learned that Mendez used to work for Crossroads In-Home Care where, prior to October 2015, she cared for an 85-year-old man. Detective discovered that on Oct. 23, 2015, Mendez took the gentleman to dinner at which time she requested money for gasoline.

Detectives learned that the 85-year-old man gave Mendez a check for $11. However, when Mendez deposited the check into her account, the amount had been altered to read $11,000.

Detectives discovered that the check had been altered and recovered video surveillance from Mendez’s bank which indicates she is the one who deposited the check. Detectives also learned that Crossroads In-Home Care forbids its employees from accepting gifts from clients.