Published: September 03, 2008 10:14 am      

Couple charged with shopping on Clark County judge’s credit card

Police arrested a New Albany couple Sunday and accused them of using a Clark County judge’s credit card to go on a shopping spree.

Clark Circuit Court Judge Abe Navarro thinks he dropped his wallet Saturday while unloading groceries from his car.

Once he realized it was gone, Navarro called his credit card company and, according to state police, was told purchases had been made at Kroger, DVD Movie Store and Wal-Mart.

The illegal purchases totaled $400.

A Wal-Mart surveillance video — where police said more than $100 was spent —showed a couple making purchases in a self-scan lane. Navarro, who lives in Jeffersonville, identified them as his neighbor’s daughter and her boyfriend.

Indiana State Police Detective Jamey Noel arrested Amanda Conrad, 24, and Abraham Martinez, 22. Each faces a class D felony theft charge. If convicted, each could face between six months and three years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Conrad initially denied the allegations, police said, but admitted to taking a wallet she found on the sidewalk after finding out about the video.

Police said Martinez told officers they used the credit card because there was no cash in the wallet. He later recanted and told detectives he did not know of the wallet.

“I know my neighbor and she’s a good person,” Navarro said. “I don’t know if they knew who I am, but I’m sure they could have figured it out.”

Navarro said his driver’s license and Indiana Bar Association cards were in his wallet.

Conrad and Martinez told police they are married. Martinez is originally from Mexico and is in the country illegally, according to investigators.

Conrad’s bond was set at $10,000 court cash in Superior Court No. 3. She posted bond and was released. Martinez is being held in the Michael L. Becher Adult Corrections Complex without bond, while the jail staff notifies immigration authorities.

Navarro said the experience gave him a different perspective.

“This weekend was not fun,” he said. “Now I know how other people feel when they’re in this situation.”