Women Accused Of Embezzling $50K From San Jose School
SAN JOSE (BCN) -- One woman was arrested Wednesday and police are seeking another female suspect in connection with the embezzlement of more than $50,000 from San Jose's Trace Elementary School.
Anne Zingale, a 48-year-old San Jose resident, was arrested at Trace Elementary School Wednesday morning following a five-month long police investigation into allegations of embezzlement, according to police.
The investigation began on Oct. 5 after members of the school's parent-teacher organization notified police about a number of mysterious charges and money missing from its account.
Detectives identified Zingale and a second woman, Vanessa Eleana Reyes, a 40-year-old resident of San Gabriel, as suspects in connection with the case.
They believe Zingale and Reyes used a credit card issued by the school's parent-teacher organization to buy gifts, clothing, athletic apparel and vacation trips for themselves, according to police.
Reyes remains at-large, police officials said.
Trace Elementary School has been hit hard in other ways in the past year. The school was razed in an arson fire last year that caused an estimated $10 million in damage.
The arson fire occurred on July 5, 2010 and destroyed 16 classrooms, the school's library, and administrative offices.
Two teens, identified as Lazarus Reavallez and Kliefert Guiang, were arrested and charged in connection with the fire.
Anyone with information about the embezzlement case is asked to call police Detective Mark Huiskens in the financial crimes unit at (408) 277-4521. To remain anonymous, call Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at (408)
947-STOP (7867) or visit http://svcrimestoppers.org/.
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