MUSKEGON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Mary Jo Sykes works as the activities director at Christian Care Assisted Living in Muskegon Township.
Last Wednesday, Sykes was going about her job as she would any other day.
"That day was a very busy day," Sykes said. "We set up all the trees in the building, I had a birthday party for November in the dining room."
That lasted until she got a notification.
"My phone was dinging with fraud alerts on my cards," Sykes said.
Sykes' cards were some of multiple stolen from Christian Care's offices. They say the cards were stolen by two women.
"It's hard because you want to show grace and compassion for people," Christian Care Administrator Danielle Gill said. "I hope they feel remorse. I really hope that they feel remorse and that, even if they're not caught, that they don't do this again."
Reviewing security footage, they say the women came in asking for a tour of the facility.
While one was taken on that tour, they say the other stole cash and cards from the office, then made purchases totaling more than $5,000.
"We believe that she was the one that took it," Gill said. "And that's because the police officer was able to confirm her [presence]—both of the ladies' [presences] actually—at the Walmart utilizing those credit cards that belong to Christian Care, in addition to our activities director."
Fruitport Township Police confirmed Monday they have opened an investigation, as the stolen cards were used within their jurisdiction. They said they're actively working to identify the suspects.
Christian Care says they hope whoever was involved can be found, so it doesn't happen to others in the future.
"We hope that they're prosecuted, and also, by getting our story out, we're hoping that others that may feel that they can commit the same crime will see that, you know, we will see them prosecuted to the end," Gill said.
Fruitport police are asking anyone with tips or information to contact them or submit anonymous tips through Silent Observer.
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