Florida

Suspect in Videotaped Houston Church Theft Caught

A suspect has been charged with stealing from a purse during a 2011 Houston church service in a theft recorded on security video.

Harris County jail records show 46-year-old Cynthia Martinez was being held without bond Thursday on charges of credit card abuse, forgery and tampering with a governmental record. Online jail records don't list an attorney for Martinez, who's also known as Cynthia Gonzalez.

Surveillance video from the June 2011 robbery at St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Catholic Church shows the victim going forward for communion. A woman one pew back allegedly goes through the victim's purse, then leaves.

The victim's checks were used for nearly $400 in purchases.

Martinez was arrested in Florida in September 2011 on unrelated charges. She recently was transferred from custody in Quincy, Florida.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us