Three Yakima women have been charged after authorities say they stole thousands of dollars from a grocery store where they worked as cashiers.
Alma Leticia Castillo, 37, and Brisa Hernández-Chávez, 26, were each charged with first-degree theft in Yakima County Superior Court. Yaridza Placios-Ramírez, 28, was charged with second-degree theft. The charges reflect the total amounts each woman is accused of taking, with first-degree theft applying to sums exceeding $5,000 and second-degree theft covering amounts between $750 and $5,000.
According to Yakima police, the thefts occurred at Fiesta Foods – 1008 E. Nob Hill Blvd through an alleged coupon fraud scheme.
Investigators say customers who cashed checks at the store were issued coupons for future purchases. Cashiers were required to scan the coupons and leave them in the cash register. However, police allege the women kept the coupons and repeatedly entered them into the register, pocketing the cash while the system still showed their tills as balanced.
Store security reportedly uncovered the scheme and contacted police on Jan. 30.
A probable cause affidavit states Castillo is accused of stealing $38,396 over the course of a year, while Hernández-Chávez allegedly took $24,372. Police say Placios-Ramírez is accused of taking $3,800.
All three women have been released on court supervision while awaiting trial.
