Published: June 30, 2009 09:57 pm         

Illinois woman charged with forgery, theft in Vigo court

TERRE HAUTE — An Illinois woman was been charged in Vigo Superior Court with forgery and theft for allegedly taking more than $17,700 from her Terre Haute employer.

Melissa I. Stillwell, 41, of Marshall, Ill., made her initial appearance Tuesday morning in front of Division 3 Judge David Bolk.

A probable cause affidavit filed with the court states that on March 18, April 3 and April 14, Stillwell allegedly wrote unauthorized checks totaling $17,745.14 from the bank account of the Lee Company.

An investigation by the Terre Haute Police Department revealed that the checks were written for personal items, to pay a credit card bill, and for rent. Stillwell was arrested Monday at the Lee Company, and was booked into the Vigo County Jail.

She was charged with forgery, a class-C felony, and theft, a class-D felony, and will appear again in court at 10 a.m. Monday for formal arraignment. She requested a public defender during the brief court hearing.

Judge Bolk set bail at $25,000, with 10 percent allowed, on condition that Stillwell also sign a waiver of extradition if her release is secured by posting bail.