A Hot Springs woman who has been in custody since Nov. 3 was served with new felony warrants Wednesday stemming from allegations she stole about $9,000 worth of jewelry, antiques, and checks from her father and stepmother.
Lauren Ashley Moss, 32, who lists an Alta Vista Street address, was initially arrested on Nov. 3 for a probation violation, but now faces additional felony charges of theft by receiving and second-degree forgery, both punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
She remained in custody Thursday in lieu of $14,000 bond and is set to appear Jan. 16 in Garland County District Court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Moss' father and stepmother reported thefts from their residence on Nov. 16 and again on Nov. 30. In the first report, $8,863 worth of jewelry and antiques was reported missing.
The second report they filed was for the theft of three checks Moss allegedly forged. She reportedly cashed one at Royal Shell, 5704 Albert Pike Road, for $50, the second at Walmart, 1601 Albert Pike Road, for $213.60, and the third at Murphy Oil, 1605 Albert Pike, for $27.76.
Her father told police he believed Moss, who had recently moved out of his house, stole the jewelry and cashed the checks.
On Nov. 16, Moss allegedly sold six white and gold silver rings, one silver necklace, one silver bracelet, two silver earrings, two antique pillboxes, and one ceramic turtle box to the 270 Pawn Shop, 4430 Albert Pike Road, for $450. According to Moss' stepmother, the items Moss sold to the pawnshop belong to her.
Officers obtained surveillance footage from Walmart and Murphy oil reportedly showing Moss passing the check to business employees. The footage from Murphy oil also contains an audio clip where Moss is reportedly heard saying, "you can write my information on it; it's my father's."
An employee of Royal Shell allegedly advised Detective Les Jessup that Moss, who she knows as Ashley, is a regular customer and an old classmate. She said Moss called the store prior to her arrival. Moss allegedly asked if the store would accept a check and her father planned on buying her lunch; she then purchased gasoline and food with the check.
Local on 01/05/2018