Crime & Safety

Des Plaines Woman Arrested for Unlawful Use of Credit Cards

The Cook County Sheriff's Department said Barbara Duelfer used a condominium association's credit cards to buy designer purses and jewelry.

A 51-year-old woman who worked as an office manager for a condominium association in unincorporated Des Plaines has been charged for using the association’s credit cards to purchase personal items that included designer purses and jewelry, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart said today. 

Barbara Duelfer, of Des Plaines, was arrested Friday after a Cook County Sheriff’s Police investigation into unauthorized purchases made at the Ballard Point Condominium Association credit cards. 

An investigation was launched on April 2 after the Association called Cook County Sheriff’s Police to report the incident. A board member noticed irregularities on a credit card statement. 

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The investigation revealed that three credit cards were used to make personal purchases including utility payments and purchases of pre-paid Visa and pre-paid American Express gift cards that were then used to buy various items. Some of the items purchased with the gift cards included two Coach purses, jewelry and Nike gym shoes. 

It is believed the cards were used to make personal purchases for about a year. 

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Duelfter worked as an office manager at Ballard Point from March 2011 until she was let go in March 2013. 

Duelfer was charged on Saturday with six felonies – two counts of theft over $500, two counts of forgery, and two counts of unlawful use of credit cards with intent to defraud. 

Duelfer received a $10,000 I-bond (own recognizance) when she appeared in Bond Court on Sunday.

Update, 5 p.m. on April 15:

Cathy Ryan, of Property Specialists based in Rolling Meadows, said her property managment company, which became the property manager of the condominiums on April 1, did not have any comment about the matter. A message left for Ballard Point Condominium Association was not immediately returned at publication time.

Des Plaines Deputy Chief Nicholas Treantafeles stated police did not have any prior contact with Duelfer.

 

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