Sedona Village of Oak Creek eye doctor’s employee Natalie Jean Olson arrested on multiple charges of identity theft, credit card theft, fraud and burglary in an ongoing investigation

Sedona AZ (July 23, 2013) – During the past several weeks Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office detectives, in conjunction with Sedona and Cottonwood Police Department detectives, reviewed several cases of credit card theft and fraud which resulted in the arrest of Natalie Olson, 33, of Cottonwood, Arizona.  

A joint effort between three law enforcement agencies, detectives learned the thefts and fraud took place throughout the Sedona, Cottonwood and Camp Verde areas. By following a paper trail of evidence and utilizing security video from various stores, Olson was identified and arrested on July 11, 2013.

This complex case remains active as additional victims have been discovered since Olson’s arrest.

Detectives were able to discover that Olson worked in at least two eye doctors’ offices in the Village of Oak Creek and Sedona and linked her presence at these locations to several victims.

Detectives determined Olson went through female patient’s purses while their personal property was left unattended during eye exams. Olson would steal credit cards and identification and, in all cases, victims did not realize the theft until at least a day later. This gave Olson time to use the cards for purchases at area stores. On some occasions, Olson would purchase cash debit cards with the stolen credit cards then discard the stolen cards to avoid detection.

Olson used the stolen cards at various stores including Wal-Mart, Giant Gas, Walgreens, and Webers IGA for at least the past two months. A break in the case came when she was caught at the Cottonwood Wal-Mart placing unscanned items into bags at a self-checkout. When clerks checked the credit card Olson was using, they found the card was not in her name and contacted law enforcement. She was arrested. Later video comparisons involving the use of stolen credit cards confirmed Olson was linked directly to twelve cases under review by the three cooperating agencies.

Olson faces charges including Fraud Schemes, Trafficking Stolen Property, Identity Theft, Forgery, Theft, Fraudulent use of a Credit Card, Theft of a Credit Card, Burglary, Possession of Stolen Property and Money Laundering. Her bond is set at $28,000.

Citizens can contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with information or questions at 928-771-3260 or the YCSO website at www.ycsoaz.gov.

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