Former bank teller embezzled in Idaho

A former teller at Wells Fargo Bank in Hailey has been charged with a felony for allegedly stealing from the bank.



An initial court appearance on a charge of grand theft by embezzlement is scheduled for Monday in Blaine County Magistrate Court for Erika M. Ruiz, a 21-year-old Hailey woman. Ruiz is also charged in a separate case with another felony for allegedly illegally using a co-worker's debit-card number.



Ruiz is represented by Ketchum attorney Andrew Parnes in both cases.



She was also the alleged victim in a Hailey stabbing case dismissed earlier this month in Blaine County 5th District Court.



In the embezzlement case, an arrest warrant was issued for Ruiz on Aug. 31 based upon a probable-cause affidavit filed by Hailey police Lt. Steve England. According to court records, Ruiz voluntarily surrendered to police on Aug. 31 after learning of the arrest warrant. She was released from custody that same day after posting $10,000 bond.



England wrote in his report that Ruiz became employed as a teller at Wells Fargo on March 30. Her employment was terminated on June 15 following a bank investigation. The case was turned over to the Hailey Police Department in July.