Cash withdrawals with stolen gift card leads to Bardstown man’s arrest

STAFF REPORT

Wednesday, March 12, 2014, 10 a.m. — A Bardstown man was arrested by Bardstown Police and charged with unlawful access to a computer after he made cash withdrawals with a stolen gift card.

James Patrick Wathen Jr., 40, was arrested Wednesday, March 11, 2014 following a police investigation involving a purse reported stolen March 6, 2014 from a home on Cathedral Manor. According to a police department press release, the purse was stolen from the victim’s vehicle. The purse contained credit cards and a gift card worth $1,000.

On March 7, the victim reported the gift card had been used at 10:57 p.m. at the Town and Country Bank and Trust Co. main branch on North Third Street, and again at 1:24 a.m. at the Kentucky Home Bank. Police believe Wathan made the cash withdrawals immediately after the theft.

Bardstown Police Detective Lynn Davis obtained bank surveillance video of the suspect using the gift card. The video revealed the suspect was wearing a hoodie to conceal his identity. After posting a photograph of the suspect the Police Department received several tips on the suspect’s identity.

Wathen was picked up by police Wednesday for an interview and admitted to the theft and using the gift card to make a $300 and $100 cash withdrawal at the banks.

The investigation is continuing. Further charges may be pending. If you have any information regarding this incident, contact the Bardstown Police at (502) 348-6811 or Nelson County Dispatch at (502) 348-3211.

-30-