Sault Ste. Marie Woman Faces Extensive Charges After Purse Theft and Fraudulent Spending Spree

A 30-year-old Sault Ste. Marie woman is now facing a litany of charges after allegedly stealing a purse from an unlocked vehicle and subsequently using the victim's credit cards across various local establishments. The swift actions of Sault Ste. Marie Police Service led to her arrest just days after the initial incident.

The events unfolded on the evening of Friday, March 15, 2024, when a victim reported their purse stolen from an unlocked vehicle parked on Great Northern Road.

While the initial theft was distressing, the situation escalated as the perpetrator reportedly wasted no time in attempting to capitalize on their ill-gotten gains.

It quickly became apparent that credit cards contained within the stolen purse were being used at multiple businesses throughout Sault Ste.

Marie. The victim, upon realizing their cards were compromised, promptly cancelled them, but not before several unauthorized transactions had already occurred.

Investigators with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service immediately launched a probe into the theft and subsequent fraudulent activity.

Leveraging available surveillance footage from the businesses where the stolen credit cards were used, officers were able to identify a suspect. This crucial piece of evidence allowed them to swiftly piece together the timeline of events and pinpoint the individual responsible.

On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, Ashley Nadon, 30, was apprehended by police in connection with the crime.

She has been charged with a comprehensive list of offenses, reflecting the multiple stages of the alleged criminal act. The charges include theft of a purse, possession of stolen property, four counts of fraudulent use of a credit card, and two counts of breach of probation. The probation breaches indicate previous legal entanglements and an alleged failure to comply with court-ordered conditions.

Nadon has since been released from custody, with a court date scheduled for April 22, 2024.

The incident serves as a stark reminder for residents to ensure their vehicles are locked and valuables are secured, even when parked for short periods, to deter opportunistic thieves.