By Bill Grimes
Effingham Daily News
EFFINGHAM, Ill. — Two former employees of Effingham City-County Ambulance have been indicted by an Effingham County grand jury in connection with the theft of a credit card from a patient — and its subsequent use.
Johnny A. High Jr., 33, and Jessica L. Arms, 27, both of Hoopeston, were indicted on one count each of unlawful possession of a credit card, a Class 4 felony. The couple is accused of using a credit card allegedly stolen from an ambulance patient to obtain food, gasoline and other items between July 29 and Aug. 8.
State’s Attorney Bryan Kibler, while emphasizing the couple is innocent until proven guilty, said the charges are disturbing because of the suspects’ roles as people of trust.
“If true, this is a serious breach of public trust,” Kibler said.
Kibler said the evidence shows that High was working as an EMT when he went on a run in which the victim was taken to the hospital. He added that after the victim was released, she discovered that a number of items were missing from her purse — and noticed a credit card was being used.
Kibler added that police were able to view surveillance video that showed a woman making multiple transactions on the stolen card, sometimes in the company of a man. He said High eventually confessed to stealing the card during the ambulance run.
Effingham City-County Ambulance owner Terry White said neither High nor Arms was still employed by the company.
“They were probationary employees who didn’t make it through their probationary period,” he said. “They were dismissed due to a potential problem.”
White added that both suspects passed company background checks.
Warrants have been issued for both High and Arms. Bond has been set at $20,000 for both suspects.
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©2015 the Effingham Daily News (Effingham, Ill.)